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Defending champions Pakistan are set to begin their campaign in the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy on February 19, when they face New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. However, ahead of the high-profile tournament, Pakistan’s squad composition has raised concerns, particularly with regard to their spin-bowling resources. The legendary Wasim Akram voiced his concerns, urging the selectors to take a closer look at the squad’s balance. Akram emphasized that Pakistan should have followed India’s example by including more spin options in their squad. India’s selection for the tournament is robust, with four quality spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.
In contrast, Pakistan has only one frontline spinner in Abrar Ahmed, with batting all-rounders like Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah available to fill in as backup options when needed. Akram noted that this could be a major disadvantage in the conditions typically seen during the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Akram was critical of the selection of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. He pointed out that Ashraf's recent form has been underwhelming, with poor statistics in recent matches, which raised doubts about his inclusion. As Pakistan prepares to defend their title, Akram’s remarks underscore the importance of squad balance and the potential impact of missing key resources in spin bowling.
"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. And we are taking one spinner, a proper spinner. I think India has ordered 3 to 4 spinners in their squad. There is a reason behind that they have selected this. Anyway, the team has been selected. I wish Pakistan team all the best," former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram told media on the sidelines of the DP World ILT20 2025.
Wasim Akram expressed his satisfaction with the inclusion of Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad, believing his presence could add significant value to the side. The legendary fast bowler and commentator lauded Zaman’s selection, stating that he brings a wealth of experience and the ability to take on opposition bowlers right from the start. Akram also made a bold suggestion regarding Pakistan's batting order. He opined that captain Babar Azam should open the batting, leveraging his consistency and ability to anchor the innings. Azam's technique and temperament make him an ideal choice to face the new ball and build a strong foundation for the team.
Furthermore, Akram recommended that Mohammad Rizwan, who is typically known for his role as an opener, should be moved to the middle order. With Rizwan's versatility and ability to adapt to different match situations, Akram believed that his batting could be more impactful in the middle-order, especially in navigating challenging situations during a chase or while stabilizing the innings after a few wickets fall.
"And now there will be a problem of opening as well. Fakhar Zaman has been picked, thank God he is back in the squad. [He is] one of the main players in world cricket in white ball. Now with that, you have to play in the middle order. I would like to see [Mohammad] Rizwan as a middle order batter. And maybe tell Babar [Azam] to open. Babar's technique is great. If Babar plays 50 overs, he will do 100 or 125, and with that the entire team's batting will go. This is my opinion," Akram stated.
"And all the fast bowlers, Naseem [Shah] is back, Shaheen [Afridi] is there, Haris [Rauf] is there and of course [Mohammad] Hasnain is there too. And if you want to invest in someone for a long term, [Aamer] Jamal was there, but he is not in the squad. So, I hope there is a mindset behind this...," he concluded.