Wasim Akram also expressed doubt on Pakistan’s overall squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, particularly in comparison with other international teams.
Wasim Akram, a cricket great and former captain of Pakistan, has voiced his worries about Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, describing the selection as “out of the blue.”
With a bowling average of 100 and a batting average of merely 9 in his first 20 games, Ashraf’s recent performances were below average, Akram said during a press conference. “What else can I say now?” he asked, raising doubts about the rationale for Ashraf’s selection.
“I haven’t thought about the team announcement yet. But a couple of things that I have thought about. For instance, Faheem Ashraf is in the team. I wish him all the best. [He is] a talented cricketer. But in the last 20 matches, his average bowling is 100 and his average batting is 9. He came out of the blue and Khushdil also came out of the blue,” Wasim Akram added.
Akram also expressed skepticism about Pakistan’s overall selection choice, particularly in light of the fact that teams around the world are choosing to use more spinners because of the subcontinent’s circumstances. However, Abrar Ahmed is the only spinner Pakistan has chosen for the competition.
“We’re bringing one spinner—a proper one. India has, I believe, selected three or four spinners for their team. The selection of this was made for a reason. In any case, the team has been chosen. “Best wishes to the Pakistani team,” he continued.
It is important to remember that Faheem Ashraf played his final One-Day International match on September 11, 2023, against India during the Asia Cup, where Pakistan had a poor showing. Khushdil Shah, meanwhile, has had difficulty securing a berth in the team since his last ODI match for Pakistan against the Netherlands on August 21, 2022.
