The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a decisive move, withdrawing Khushdil Shah and Aamer Jamal from their ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) commitments. This decision signals their return to the national team setup ahead of the upcoming ODI Tri-Series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Khushdil and Jamal Prioritized for National Duty
With the Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, the PCB’s decision underscores a clear intent to include the duo in the final squad for the competitions.
Khushdil Shah, known for his explosive finishing abilities, has been a standout performer for Rangpur Riders in this year’s BPL. He currently ranks ninth on the tournament’s run-scorers list, amassing 298 runs in 10 matches at a blistering strike rate of 175.29.
Khushdil Shah’s BPL Batting Stats:
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khushdil Shah (RAR) | 2024-2025 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 298 | 73* | 59.60 | 170 | 175.29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 24 |
Khushdil has also been equally impressive with the ball, currently sitting second on the BPL’s wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets in nine innings.
Khushdil Shah’s BPL Bowling Stats:
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khushdil Shah (RAR) | 2024-2025 | 10 | 9 | 168 | 28.0 | – | 169 | 17 | 3/18 | 9.94 | 6.03 | 9.88 | – | – |
Meanwhile, Aamer Jamal has been recalled after playing just two games for Khulna Tigers, where he managed to claim one wicket and score five runs with the bat. It will be interesting to see if Aamer Jamal can fill the all-rounder void for Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
On the flip side, Mohammad Wasim Jr. has once again found himself sidelined. Despite showing flashes of brilliance in the past, the fast bowler has struggled to cement his place in Pakistan’s white-ball setup.
With Pakistan prioritizing the all-round versatility of Aamer Jamal and Khushdil Shah, Wasim’s exclusion suggests he may need to refine his skill set to regain the selectors’ trust.
Pakistan is the only team that has not announced it’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad yet. All other teams have announced their 15-man squad for the mega-event.
As Pakistan gears up for the Tri-Series, all eyes will be on Khushdil and Jamal to justify their selection, while Wasim Jr. will have to wait for another opportunity to make his mark on the international stage.
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