Tanvir Ahmed: “He has just nine wickets in the last 20 innings, a batting average of only 10 in his last 34 innings, and yet he is included in Pakistan’s squad”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed was in disbelief that all-rounder Faheem Ashraf was picked in the team for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Tanvir noted that Faheem has failed to have an impact in his last few international matches, the most recent of which was a Test match against Australia in December 2023.
Lately, Faheem has been active in domestic cricket as he featured in the Champions T20 Cup.
The 31-year-old scored 127 runs in seven matches for the Dolphins at an average of 18.14 and a strike-rate of 125.74.
Bowling-wise, he took six wickets at an average of 27.16 and an economy rate of 7.76.
The Kasur native then took part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and 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 also finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets at an average of 13.90 and an economy rate of 7.12.
Despite his strong showing in the BPL, Tanvir doesn’t think Faheem deserved a spot in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad.
“He has just nine wickets in the last 20 innings, a batting average of only 10 in his last 34 innings, and yet he is included in Pakistan’s squad,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
In the recently-concluded ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Faheem only featured in one match and scored 22 runs while going wicketless in the 2.2 overs he bowled.
The men in green will now 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