Mohammad Rizwan embraces Hasan Ali’s “King Karlega” in response to opening pair questions

Pakistan's white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan on Friday addressed growing concerns about the team’s opening pair for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. In his response, Rizwan humorously referenced a famous comment made by fast bowler Hasan Ali, who had once said, “King kar le ga” in reference to star batter Babar Azam.

Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the tournament. The squad included only one specialist opener, Fakhar Zaman, who made his return to the ODI team after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Fakhar will likely open the innings, but his partner remains uncertain after Saim Ayub was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Abdullah Shafique also failed to make the squad due to his recent below-par performances.

This situation led to questions over who would partner Fakhar at the top of the order for Pakistan. Some speculated that Babar Azam or middle-order batter Saud Shakeel could take on the role, a possibility discussed by national selector Asad Shafiq.

Addressing the issue, Rizwan was asked for his final verdict on the matter. The wicketkeeper-batter expressed disappointment over Saim Ayub's absence from the Champions Trophy, acknowledging that the opener’s injury had disrupted the team’s combination.

“Look, we all know how well Saim Ayub performed recently. His performances were exceptional, especially given the conditions and the opposition,” Rizwan said. 

“Anyway, his absence has disturbed the combination, but we must focus on the process, not the names. Yes, his absence is a loss for us, but the team’s planning remains the same, and we will not use this as an excuse,” he added. 

Rizwan also addressed the ongoing debate over the selection of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah for the Champions Trophy. The duo’s inclusion has been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.

“Faheem Ashraf’s performance over the past two years has been solid. His List-A average is around 46, which speaks for itself,” Rizwan explained. 

“People may be surprised by his selection, but we make decisions based on the team’s needs. We needed a fast-bowling all-rounder, and Faheem was the best choice for us,” Rizwan further added. 

Regarding Khushdil Shah, Rizwan pointed to the batter’s recent strong form, particularly in domestic tournaments like the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the Champions Cup. 

“Khushdil has been in exceptional form, and his performances in these tournaments should speak for themselves. I don’t think his selection should be questioned,” Rizwan added.

Both Faheem and Khushdil made their returns to the national ODI side for the Champions Trophy, with their last appearances in the format dating back to September 2023 and August 2022, respectively. Their surprising selection sparked reactions on social media, with some fans and former cricketers expressing doubts about the decision.

Despite the criticism, Rizwan remained confident about the team’s overall preparation and the process behind the selections.