'A political selection; a joke': Former cricketers slam Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticised the squad selected for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 by the hosts, calling it “a political selection” and blaming the national selection committee for making controversial decisions.
In the squad announced on Friday, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf made a surprise return after almost two years on the sidelines, a decision Latif finds questionable.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"It seems a political selection," Latif told Telecomasia.net. "Faheem has no recent performance to warrant a selection, and his record isn't impressive."
Ashraf’s ODI record includes 26 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of 46.30, while his batting figures in 24 innings stand at a mere 10.66 average with a highest score of 28.
Latif pointed out that Pakistan had successfully experimented with new players during their recent tours of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa but opted against retaining them. "This squad includes players like Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, and Saud Shakeel, who were not part of the system on the last three tours. Now, it is up to captain Mohammad Rizwan to select the best XI, just as Imran Khan did in 1992 and Younis Khan in 2009," he said.
Latif also backed Babar Azam’s move to open the innings but raised concerns about Pakistan’s bowling attack. "I think Babar will be useful as an opener, but the main issue is who will take wickets in the 11-20 and 31-40 over phases. That has been Pakistan’s weakness, as we suffered in the 2023 World Cup in those areas."

Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed went even further, calling the squad "a joke."
"We have selected a squad that is a joke in our conditions," Tanvir told Telecomasia.net. "Look at India, they have four quality spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. And we? Just one spinner in Abrar Ahmed."
Tanvir accused the selectors of favoritism, saying, "This is a squad picked on perchi (recommendations), and for that, the selection committee must take responsibility. There was no need to change the squad that performed well on the last three tours."
Pakistan will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, followed by a high-profile clash against India in Dubai on February 23. Their last group-stage match is set for February 27 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.