Aaqib Javed: “Abrar Ahmed’s presence limited opportunities for Sufiyan Muqeem, given the team’s strategy of using just one spinner”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has admitted that mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has limited the opportunities for Sufiyan Muqeem.
Muqeem is one of the brightest spin prospects in the country and has shown great potential in the matches he has played for the national team.
However, as things stand, he remains behind Abrar, who has become Pakistan’s go-to spinner in limited overs cricket.
Muqeem recently featured in Pakistan’s T20I series against Australia and took two wickets in two matches at an average of 15.
He had an even better showing in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, claiming nine wickets, which included a five-wicket haul, at an eye-popping average of 4.66.
The 25-year-old then picked up one wicket in one T20I against South Africa at an average of 53.
He subsequently got the opportunity to make his ODI debut against the Proteas and didn’t disappoint, taking four wickets at an average of 13.
Aaqib noted that since Pakistan only need one spinner at the moment, there was no space for Muqeem in the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Abrar Ahmed’s presence limited opportunities for Sufiyan Muqeem, given the team’s strategy of using just one spinner,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Pakistan just finished playing an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where they made it to the final before losing to the Black Caps.
They will now take part in the Champions Trophy, which will be played 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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