Ahmed Shehzad Criticizes PCB’s Selection Strategy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing intense criticism for its squad selection ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has condemned the management for sidelining local talent and making last-minute, unplanned changes that could impact the team’s performance.
Key Controversies Surrounding Pakistan’s Squad Selection
- Preference for T20 league imports over local players
- Exclusion of young talents like Usama Mir sparks debate
- Concerns over fitness levels of T20 players converting to ODIs
- Babar Azam’s forced shift to an opening role questioned
- Pakistan set to face India in a high-stakes match on February 23
Poor Selection Strategy Weakens Pakistan’s Squad
Ahmed Shehzad has strongly criticized PCB for inconsistent selection policies that have sidelined young players previously nurtured for the national team. Talents like Irfan Khan Niazi, Tayyab Tahir, and Faisal Akram have been overlooked despite their potential.
The exclusion of Usama Mir has drawn significant attention, with Shehzad highlighting how leg-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was unexpectedly thrown into high-pressure matches, affecting his confidence and performance.
“Good boards plan ahead. Pakistan, however, keeps making last-minute changes before big tournaments.”
Over-Reliance on T20 Imports Hurts ODI Stability
Shehzad criticized PCB for selecting players based on T20 league performances, ignoring the need for specialist ODI players. He believes this approach disrupts the team’s balance and weakens its core stability.
“You’re bringing players from T20s into ODIs. Can they manage the workload and fitness demands?”
With 50-over cricket requiring endurance, Shehzad questioned whether these players could sustain high-performance levels, especially against top teams like India and England.
Babar Azam’s Forced Transition Raises Concerns
A major point of contention is the decision to push Babar Azam into an opening role. Shehzad believes this move could unsettle the batting lineup and affect Pakistan’s middle-order stability.
“Babar has carried Pakistan’s middle order for years. Forcing him to open is unfair.”
He emphasized that Babar’s consistent ODI performances make him Pakistan’s key asset. However, excessive pressure could negatively impact both his form and the team’s overall performance.
Key Challenges Pakistan Must Address
- Lack of a settled squad due to last-minute changes
- Over-reliance on T20 imports instead of ODI specialists
- Fitness concerns for players shifting from T20s to ODIs
- Uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam’s batting position
- Weak spin attack due to controversial selections