Calls for Reassessment of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Squad Soar
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing controversy following the announcement of its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, with growing criticism over selection choices.
Revealed on January 31, the squad has sparked backlash from former cricketers and media analysts, leading to discussions about a potential review before the February 11 deadline for making changes.
The selections of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah have sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning their inclusion despite their underwhelming international records and unclear roles in the current squad.
Concerns have also been raised over the squad’s composition, particularly the decision to include only one specialist opener and a single frontline spinner—a move that has left many puzzled.
Journalist Saleem Khaliq reports that selectors were recently urged to reassess the squad to ensure a more balanced lineup. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has distanced himself from the controversy, stating that while the selection committee has the final say, necessary adjustments should be made if weaknesses are identified.
Further fueling the debate, former cricketers have suggested that political influence and external recommendations may have played a role in the selection process—a claim that has reportedly reached senior PCB officials.
Despite the backlash, the selection committee insists that all players were chosen based on merit, emphasizing that data-driven analysis guided their decisions.
With the ICC-imposed deadline of February 11 rapidly approaching, any non-injury-related changes to Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad must be finalized before then.
After this date, replacements will only be allowed with technical committee approval in case of injuries.
Pakistan will kick off its Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, with just two warm-up matches against South Africa and New Zealand before the tournament begins.
As pressure mounts to reconsider squad selections, it remains to be seen whether the PCB will stand by its decisions or yield to growing demands for change ahead of one of cricket’s biggest events.