Ex-Pakistan speedster Tanveer Ahmed criticizes the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for placing allrounder Faheem Ashraf in the Champions Trophy 2025 team. He stated the same doubts as renowned fast bowler Wasim Akram.
Experts doubt why Faheem Ashraf made the national team when his international performance shows weakness while his domestic results remain impressive. When top performers Imam-ul-Haq and Aamer Jamal missed the team selection many people discussed PCB’s team picking methods.
Tanveer Ahmed noted that Faheem Ashraf had weak numbers in international matches so he should not be eligible for the team. “He has just nine wickets in the last 20 innings. He has an average of 10 in his last 34 innings and has come to the Pakistan squad,” according to Ahmed.
During an interview, Wasim Akram discussed that “Faheem Ashraf is in the team. I wish him all the best. [He is] a talented cricketer. But in the last 20 matches, his average bowling is 100 and his average batting is 9,”
The team chose Faheem Ashraf because of his strong local results in domestic cricket despite underperforming at the international level. During the 2023-24 List A cricket season he batted 11 times for a 44 average and took 19 wickets from 14 innings.
Ahmed stated international performance should determine which cricketers play for their country because outstanding domestic results do not outweigh international results.
Tanveer Ahmed Criticizes Faheem Ashraf’s Selection for Champions Trophy 2025On January 31 the PCB issued a selection surprise by choosing players to tour New Zealand and South Africa and also forming the 2025 Champions Trophy team. In its 149-member lineup, the team restored its foundation by including Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Saud Shakeel.
