Former Pakistan cricketer shares concerns over Champions Trophy squad selection

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has shared concerns regarding Pakistan’s recently announced squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The 15-member team, revealed on Friday, has raised several questions, especially about the opening combination and overall selection process.

In a video, Kamran Akmal expressed concerns about the opening partnership, questioning the selection of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. "If Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are going to open, then what about the players who have been performing well in domestic cricket?" Akmal said. "We need to give proper chances to those players who deserve a place in the team," he added.

Akmal also highlighted the inconsistency in the selection, stating that some players were picked despite their recent form not justifying their inclusion. "It’s unfair to pick players who haven’t been consistent, and we need to give opportunities to those who have performed in domestic cricket," he remarked. "This squad lacks the right balance in key areas," he further added.

While expressing hope for the team’s success in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Kamran Akmal stressed the importance of making fair and careful selections. "I hope the team performs well, but the selectors need to make the right decisions to ensure the best combination for Pakistan," Akmal concluded.

Pakistan squad for tri-nation series and ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.