Malik Waqar
Pakistan Captain Muhammad Rizwan has confidently addressed speculations surrounding the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, reaffirming his trust in Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah.
From February 19, the tournament will feature the eight best cricket teams in the world battling it out. Prior to that, a tri-nation series will be held in Lahore starting on Saturday, featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand.
In a pre-series press conference held in Lahore on Friday, Rizwan spoke candidly about the squad for both the series and the 2025 Champions Trophy, highlighting the team’s strengths and potential.
When asked about the opening pair, Rizwan humourously responded, “King will take care of it,” suggesting that Babar Azam will be entrusted with the responsibility.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has returned to the team after six months and his recent form has been questioned, while Azam is not in great from either.
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Rizwan also addmitted missing Saim Ayub, noting that his absence had affected the team combination.
While defending the decision to select one specialist spinner in the squad, Rizwan emphasised that Abrar Ahmed is the first choice, which is why no consideration was given to other spinners. He added that the team required a left-arm spinner, and Shah has excelled in this role, declaring him the best choice for the squad.
Moreover, the captain refuted the rumours of any changes in the squad, stating that the squad is already finalised and no major changes are expected at this stage. He added that the playing XI would be selected based on the conditions at the time.
He highlighted the importance of including the best players and giving opportunities to those in good form, which would help create a more balanced and successful team. Rizwan also expressed confidence in Shah and Ashraf, stating that both players are in good form.
He stated that playing in Lahore will benefit the team, particularly for the tri-nation series. He noted that dew could have an impact on the pitch and conditions in Lahore, which may make it difficult for two spinners to perform effectively.
