Former Pakistan cricket team coach Jason Gillespie has raised eyebrows over the omission of Irfan Khan Niazi from the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, calling the decision “bizarre.” In a recent interview with PakPassion, Gillespie, who has been closely following Pakistan cricket despite stepping down from his role, expressed his disbelief over the exclusion of the batter, highlighting Irfan’s immense talent and potential.
“It was really bizarre to drop Irfan Khan Niazi from the team,” Jason Gillespie said. “He is one of the most talented players in Pakistan and probably one of the hardest hitters of a cricket ball. On top of that, he is the best fielder.”
Jason Gillespie, who coached Irfan Khan during the tour of Australia, backed the young batter to make an impact once he got acclimated to the international game. “Young players need time to develop and learn, and the culmination would have been this Champions Trophy. It would have been a really good platform for a player like Niazi to showcase what they can do on the big stage,” the Australian coach added. “I don’t buy this ‘experience’ rhetoric that keeps coming up. If the player is good enough, just give them the opportunity.”
Having worked closely with Irfan Khan during his time with the team, Jason Gillespie’s words hold weight. However, the former bowling great is not the only one to question the exclusion of Niazi, as many pundits have raised concerns over the rationale behind leaving him out for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan ultimately paid the price, exiting the tournament without a win, while Niazi’s supposed replacement, Tayyab Tahir, struggled to make an impact with the bat.
It seems the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now recognized its mistake, as Irfan Khan has returned to the national squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. He has been included in both the T20I and ODI teams, offering him the chance to prove his worth.
The 22-year-old will now have an opportunity to show that Jason Gillespie’s faith in him was well-placed. With a string of strong performances, Niazi could become a key figure in Pakistan’s cricketing future.
