The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national selection committee have been facing heavy criticism from many former cricketers for being biased and involving politics while selecting the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board denied political interference in the selection of Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Tri-Nation ODI series. According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, a PCB source dismissed claims of external influence.
PCB defends squad selection for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 amid allegations of political influence
Amid rumors, the PCB sources have revealed that the selection committee made all decisions independently, and even the board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, had no role in selecting the squad for the upcoming assignments.
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It is being said that the PCB chief had only approved the final list submitted by the selectors for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Tri-Nation ODI series. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan’s inputs were also reportedly taken, but only the selectors took the final call regarding the 15-member squad selection.
Meanwhile, the PCB sources defended the controversial inclusions of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah to the ODI squads, saying they made the cut to the 15-member squad because of their performances.
Well, Aamer Jamal’s omission from the squad also sparked fury among the fans and former cricketers, but his recent dip in form reportedly led to his exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
Pakistan Cricket Board explains Faheem Ashraf’s selection
On the other hand, Faheem Ashraf’s all-round abilities and strong domestic performances earned him a spot, along with Khushdil Shah’s consistency in limited-overs cricket, which got him the nod.
Faheem Ashraf was picked in the Platinum category by the Quetta Gladiators and the PCB sources said it was enough for the selectors to go with him instead of the struggling all-rounder Shadab Khan. The PCB has insisted that the team selection was fair and the selectors took unbiased decisions.
Sources also said that the selection committee and PCB are being unfairly blamed by some former cricketers for decisions based on politics. They also revealed that the playing XI for the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI series and Champions Trophy 2025 will be decided by the national selectors.
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Aaqib Javed and Pakistan selectors to pick Playing XI
It is being said that the Pakistan head coach, Aaqib Javed, who also serves as a selector, will work closely with fellow selectors Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aleem Dar, and Hasan Cheema over the playing XI. However, Mohammad Rizwan’s input will be considered, but the selectors will make the final call.
The PCB source also revealed that Usman Khan has been included as the backup wicketkeeper for the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI series. Usman is considered more reliable than Haseebullah and Mohammad Haris to keep wickets if the skipper Mohammad Rizwan is not available.
In the end, the sources strongly dismissed the political influence in player selection, calling such claims baseless and fake. Notably, the Men in Green will face New Zealand in the Tri-nation ODI series opener on February 8 as well as in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener on February 19.
