Former Pakistan captain and swing legend Wasim Akram expressed his concerns over ٖFaheem Ashraf’s selection in the Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy squad, labelling it as “out of the blue.”
During a franchise press conference, Akram highlighted that Ashraf’s performance in the first 20 matches was subpar, with a bowling average of 100 and a batting average of just 9. He questioned the reasoning behind his inclusion, adding, “What else can I say now?”
Akram also shared his surprise at Pakistan’s squad selection, noting that while teams around the world are opting for more spinners due to the conditions in the subcontinent, Pakistan is only taking Abrar Ahmed as their spinner.
Other former cricketers, including Tanveer Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, and Basit Ali, have also raised concerns over the returns of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah. They have voiced support for players like Sufyan Maqeem and bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal, questioning the rationale behind the selections.
Previously, former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif also questioned Ashraf’s inclusion in the squad as he criticised the selection committee for inadequate preparation and described their efforts as incomplete.
In a conversation with a private TV channel, Latif emphasised the absence of opener Saim Ayub, who was a key player in ensuring victories, stating that his absence would be felt the most.
Former captain also pointed out that the team lacks a solid opener, despite Fakhar Zaman’s return, suggesting he might open alongside Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam.
He further raised doubts over the return of Khushdil Shah and Ashraf, who had shown limited presence in the system, and criticised the unexpected inclusion of certain players with large gaps in their international careers.
Similarly, cricket analyst Sikander Bakht shared his reservations about the squad, aligning with the concerns raised by others.
It’s worth noting that Ashraf played his last One-Day International match against India on September 11, 2023, during the Asia Cup, where Pakistan had a disappointing campaign.
Meanwhile, middle-order batter Shah’s last appearance for Pakistan was on October 7, 2023, and since then, he has struggled to secure a place in the team.
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