Lahore, February 5, 2025: Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aqib Javed, has defended the inclusion of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah in the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, addressing media concerns on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the team’s second practice session, Aqib elaborated on the reasoning behind their selection. Both players, last seen in ODIs in September 2023 and August 2022, respectively, have made unexpected returns, sparking criticism from former cricketers and fans on social media.
“Criticism of Faheem Ashraf’s selection is understandable, and we respect differing opinions. However, we believe in his abilities and the value he brings to the team,” Aqib asserted.
He also praised Khushdil Shah, stating that the left-hander is currently at the peak of his batting form and was considered for selection even before Pakistan’s tour of Australia.
“Khushdil was chosen to provide all-round cover for Saim Ayub, who couldn’t be replaced by a specialist opening batter,” he explained.
Addressing team composition, Aqib clarified that Pakistan generally plays with just one specialist spinner unless injuries necessitate changes.
“If an injury occurs, we will adjust accordingly. Saim’s unavailability was a challenge for the selection committee, while the presence of Abrar Ahmed reduced opportunities for Sufiyan Muqeem due to our strategy of using a single spinner,” he stated.
Aqib also mentioned Aamir Jamal, acknowledging that while he was under consideration for the squad, he ultimately didn’t make the final cut as he is yet to debut in ODIs.
The head coach emphasized how cricket has evolved over the past few years, making 300-plus scores a standard target without the need for drastic changes in batting strategies.
He also stressed the significance of scenario-based training and practicing on center wickets to replicate real-match conditions—an approach widely followed in international cricket.
Aqib concluded by expressing enthusiasm for the Champions Trophy, viewing it as a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to compete against the world’s best and showcase their potential on the global stage.
