Ahmed Shehzad: “Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf make their way back in the team from a T20 tournament happening in Bangladesh, without playing any ODI cricket in recent past for the country. Are you guys for real?”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has lashed out at the selectors for picking batsman Usman Khan and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
He questioned on what basis they were selected, given that Usman has yet to make his ODI debut, while Faheem’s last ODI came all the way back in 2023 Asia Cup.
Shehzad feels the duo were simply added to the Champions Trophy squad based on their performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Usman scored 285 runs in eight matches for the Chittagong Kings, which included a century and two fifties, at an average of 35.62 and a strike-rate of 167.64.
Faheem, meanwhile, amassed 102 runs in 11 games for Fortune Barishal, which included a top score of 54 not out, at an average of 34 and a strike-rate of 231.81.
He was also the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets at an average of 13.90 and an economy rate of 7.12.
“Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf make their way back in the team from a T20 tournament happening in Bangladesh, without playing any ODI cricket in recent past for the country. Are you guys for real?” Shehzad was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan are now playing an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Once the tri-series is over, the men in green will be involved in the 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