Sohaib Maqsood: “Pakistan at least should give a proper go to Arafat Minhas before [the] Champions Trophy. If he isn’t ready, [then] you could look back to Shadab Khan”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan power-hitter Sohaib Maqsood believes spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas should continue being picked over Shadab Khan for the time being.
He noted that Minhas is an emerging talent and should get more opportunities to prove himself at the international level in the lead-up to the 2025 Champions Trophy.
However, if the 20-year-old fails to deliver, then Pakistan can look at bringing Shadab back into the squad.
“We don’t have [a] proper white-ball fast-bowling all-rounder now, not even a good proper spin all-rounder. Pakistan at least should give a proper go to Arafat Minhas before [the] Champions Trophy. If he isn’t ready, [then] you could look back to Shadab Khan. Where is [the] planning? Or winning against Zimbabwe is enough?” Maqsood said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Shadab wasn’t picked for Pakistan’s last few limited overs series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Minhas, meanwhile, featured in one T20I during Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe and scored an unbeaten 22.
Pakistan recently took on the West Indies in a two-Test series in Multan, which concluded as a 1-1 draw.
Shadab also wasn’t selected for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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