Wasim Akram Gives Brutally Honest Opinion on Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Squad [Video]

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, never one to mince words, gave his brutally honest opinion of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In a recent interview, the legendary pacer didn’t hold back, offering a mix of praise, criticism, and a few eyebrow-raising observations about the team announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

One of the most talked-about aspects of the squad was the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah, two players who have been largely absent from the national setup in recent times. Their selection, based on performances in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), has sparked debate, given their lackluster international form.

Wasim Akram was particularly baffled by Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion. “I wish him all the best, he’s a talented cricketer,” Akram said, “But in the past 20 matches, his bowling average is 100, and his batting average is 9. ”

Khushdil Shah, too, has been a polarizing figure, with critics questioning his ability to deliver consistently at the international level. While Akram didn’t single him out, the general sentiment was clear: performances in franchise cricket shouldn’t outweigh a player’s track record in international cricket.

If Faheem’s inclusion raised eyebrows, the omission of all-rounder Aamer Jamal left Akram downright puzzled. Jamal, who has shown promise in recent outings, was conspicuously absent from the squad. Akram didn’t mince words, stating that if wanted to invest in somebody then it should’ve been Jamal.

On the batting front, Wasim Akram had a mix of praise and constructive criticism. He was pleased to see Fakhar Zaman in the squad, calling him “one of the best in the world in white-ball cricket.” However, he couldn’t help but point out the lack of a backup opening batsman in the lineup. “I’m surprised there’s no other proper opener in the squad,” he remarked.

Akram also shared his thoughts on the batting order, suggesting a bold move: skipper Mohammad Rizwan should bat in the middle order, while Babar Azam should open alongside Fakhar. “Babar can play the anchor role at the top, and Rizwan is better suited to the middle order,” he explained.

When it came to the bowling department, Akram seemed relatively content—at least on the fast-bowling front. With Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and the young Mohammad Hasnain in the mix, Pakistan’s pace attack looks formidable.

However, his concern lay with the spin department—or rather, the lack thereof. The squad features just one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, a decision that Akram found perplexing. “India has 3-4 spinners in their squad, and that should’ve been a telling sign for the PCB,” he pointed out, referencing the spin-friendly conditions expected during the tournament. “If India is taking that many spinners, there’s a reason for it.”