Wasim Akram questions Faheem Ashraf’s selection for Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has raised concerns over the selection of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, questioning his inclusion as “out of the blue.”

Speaking at a franchise press conference, Akram criticized Faheem's performance, stating, "In his first 20 matches, his bowling average is 100, and his batting average is just 9. What more can I say?" 

Akram expressed doubts about Faheem’s ability to contribute effectively in a high-stakes tournament like the Champions Trophy.

 The "Sultan of Swing" also questioned Pakistan’s selection strategy, pointing out that while teams worldwide are focusing on increasing the number of spinners for subcontinental pitches, Pakistan has chosen to enter the tournament with just one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed.

Additionally, Akram supported the idea of shifting Pakistan’s batting order by promoting Babar Azam as an opening batsman alongside Fakhar Zaman. He suggested that Mohammad Rizwan should be positioned in the middle order instead. "I would like to see Rizwan as a middle-order batter and maybe ask Babar to open the innings.

 Babar has a brilliant technique. If he plays 50 overs and scores a hundred, the batting will revolve around him," Akram stated during a media interaction.

Pakistan’s squad for the Tri-Nation Series and Champions Trophy 2025 includes:

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