Aaqib Javed: “Khushdil Shah’s batting technique is currently at its peak, his name was discussed before the visit to Australia”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has defended the decision to include all-rounder Khushdil Shah in the team for the 2025 Champions Trophy, saying his “batting technique is currently at its peak”.
Aaqib added that bringing Khushdil in was also to “cover for Saim Ayub”, who was ruled out of the tournament after fracturing his ankle during the two-Test series against South Africa.
The 30-year-old has done well in domestic cricket lately as he scored 132 runs in eight matches for the Lions during the Champions T20 Cup, which included a top score of 57 not out, at an average of 26.40 and a strike-rate of 151.72.
He also snapped up nine wickets at an average of 17.22 and an economy rate of 6.45.
Khushdil then featured in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and amassed 298 runs in 10 matches for the Rangpur Riders, which included two fifties, at an average of 59.60 and a strike-rate of 175.29.
The Bannu native also had an impact with the ball, finishing as the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 9.94 and an economy rate of 6.03.
“Khushdil Shah’s batting technique is currently at its peak, his name was discussed before the visit to Australia,” Aaqib was quoted as saying by A Sports.
“He was added to the team because we needed an all-round player to cover for Saim Ayub, who could not be replaced by an opening batsman.”
Pakistan just finished playing an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa and Khushdil scored 22 runs in three games at an average of 11.
He also snapped up one wicket at an average of 127.
Khushdil and the rest of the Pakistan team will now take part in the Champions Trophy, which will be held 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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