Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Jamal has taken a not-so-subtle dig at the relevant authorities after being left out of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad for the upcoming tournament. The 28-year-old expressed his frustration publicly after being snubbed in favor of a returning Faheem Ashraf. The selectors’ decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Soon after the announcement of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad, Aamer Jamal took to Instagram to share his emotions, posting a story that hinted at not just disappointment but “betrayal.”
His story simply read, “If betraying had a face,” accompanied by an emoji, clearly expressing his feelings. According to inside reports by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake, Jamal was assured of a place in the team but was dropped at the last minute. The PCB had earlier recalled Aamer Jamal from the Bangladesh Premier League, strongly suggesting that he was in their plans.
This revelation has fueled discussions on whether the selection committee made the right call, especially considering that Jamal has been a regular part of the Pakistan team in recent years, while Faheem Ashraf last played an ODI in 2023.
Selection Drama: Aamer Jamal vs Faheem Ashraf?
According to reports, Pakistan’s selectors had finalized Jamal’s inclusion but reversed their decision at the last moment. The choice to pick Faheem Ashraf over him may have been influenced by Ashraf’s recent performances in the BPL.
Faheem currently sits second on the wicket-takers list with 20 scalps and boasts a league-best strike rate of 231.81. However, his last ODI appearance for Pakistan was during the 2023 Asia Cup, where he conceded 74 runs in 10 overs and scored just 4 runs against India.
Jamal, on the other hand, last played an ODI in November 2024 against Zimbabwe, where he picked up 2 wickets in his 5 overs. He has also been a regular member of Pakistan’s cricket team over the past year, giving him better acclimation to the international cricketing environment.
Aamer Jamal vs Faheem Ashraf: ODI Bowling Comparison
| Player | Span | Matches (Mat) | Innings (Inns) | Overs | Maidens (Mdns) | Runs | Wickets (Wkts) | Best Bowling (BBI) | Average (Avg) | Economy (Econ) | Strike Rate (SR) | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faheem Ashraf | 2017-2023 | 34 | 33 | 232.2 | 9 | 1204 | 26 | 5/22 | 46.30 | 5.18 | 53.6 | 0 | 1 |
| Aamer Jamal | 2024- | 3 | 3 | 16.0 | 2 | 85 | 3 | 2/19 | 28.33 | 5.31 | 32.0 | 0 | 0 |
Aamer Jamal vs Faheem Ashraf: ODI Batting Stats
| Player | Span | Matches (Mat) | Innings (Inns) | Not Out (NO) | Runs Scored | Highest Score (HS) | Batting Avg (Avg) | Balls Faced (BF) | Strike Rate (SR) | 100s | 50s | Ducks (0s) | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faheem Ashraf | 2017-2023 | 34 | 24 | 3 | 224 | 28 | 10.66 | 274 | 81.75 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 7 |
| Aamer Jamal | 2024 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5* | – | 9 | 55.55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
With the Champions Trophy squad now finalized, Aamer Jamal will have to wait for another opportunity to prove himself on the international stage. However, given his recent rise in stature, he remains a key part of Pakistan’s plans for future tours and tournaments. For now, his social media reaction reflects the harsh realities of selection policies, leaving fans wondering if Pakistan may have missed a trick by leaving him out.
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