'Bowling Average 100 Ki Aur Batting 9 Ki': Wasim Akram Questions Faheem Ashraf's Selection In Pakistan's CT Squad
Since making his ODI debut for Pakistan in 2017, 31-year-old Faheem Ashraf has played 34 matches and has scored 224 runs (batting average 10.66) and picked up 26 wickets (bowling average 46.30).
Legendary Pakistani pacer and former captain Wasim Akram has questioned all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s selection in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 31-year-old bowling all-rounder, who last played a 50-over match for the Men in Green on September 10, 2023, was included in the squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday (January 31). Akram is surprised by Ashraf, who has scored 224 runs (batting average 10.66) and picked up 26 wickets (bowling average 46.30) in 34 ODIs, selection but wished him all the best for the upcoming matches.
“The team that has been announced, I haven’t seen it properly yet. But couple of which I have seen, for instance, Faheem Ashraf is in the team. I wish him all the best. A talented cricketer. But in the last 20 matches, his bowling average is 100, and his batting average is 9. He came out of the blue, and Khushdil Shah also came out of the blue. And we are taking one spinner, a proper spinner. I think India has ordered 3-4 spinners in their squad. And there is a reason why they have selected them. Anyway, the team has been selected. I wish the Pakistan team all the best. There will be some pressure because of being hosts. We are expecting them to reach the semi-final," Akram told Sports Yaari.
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Star opener Saim Ayub is not part of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad due to an ankle injury that he suffered while playing in the second Test against South Africa last month at Newlands in Cape Town. In his absence, Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam will open for the defending champions in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Akram wants Babar to open for Pakistan in the eight-tournament, which will be played from February 19 to March 9 across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai.
“There will be a problem of opening. A regular opener is Fakhar (Zaman), who has been picked. Thank God he is back in the squad. One of the main players in world cricket in white ball. Now with him, you have to play a middle-order batter. I would like to see Rizwan as a middle-order batter. And maybe tell Babar to open. Babar’s technique is great. If Babar plays 50 overs, he will do 100 or 125. And fast bowlers, I think all of our pacers are very fast. Naseem (Shah) is back. Shaheen (Afridi) is there. Haris (Rauf) is there. And of course, Hasnain is there too."
“I was talking about an all-rounder. If you want to invest in someone for the long term, it was (Aamir) Jamal, but he is not in the squad," Akram added.
Akram, who led Pakistan to the ODI World Cup final in 1999 and played a big role in the 1992 ODI World Cup title win, wants Pakistan to win the title but said it won’t be easy.
“Look, I would love Pakistan to win. Obviously, being a Pakistani. But look, it won’t be easy. Top 8 teams in world cricket are playing. And they are playing quite a few games. A big game is here in Dubai. India-Pakistan game is in Dubai. My gut feeling is that they (Pakistan) must come to the semi-finals. Then we will see what happens after that."
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