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3 Out Of Form Pakistan Players Who Could Be Excluded From Champions Trophy Squad

Anurag Dasgupta

3 players who could be dropped from CT squad [Source: AP Photo] 3 players who could be dropped from CT squad [Source: AP Photo]

The Champions Trophy is just few days away and the buzz has started for the ICC mega event set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai. Right before the tournament, there are two major favourites for the tournament - India and Pakistan. Pakistan, however, despite boasting a strong squad looked vulnerable against the Kiwis in the ODI match on Saturday.

Pakistan will be under tremendous pressure heading into the tournament as the host nation, but more importantly, they are carrying plenty of out of form players who should be excluded before the deadline day of final squad submission.

Here are 3 such out of form players who should be excluded from the Champions Trophy squad.

1) Naseem Shah

Naseem Shah ODI stats since 2024

Criterion
Data
Matches played7
Wickets Taken10
Average36.80
Economy6.18

Nothing is going right at the moment for the ace Pakistan seamer. He was touted to be the future of Pakistan bowling, but injuries and poor form has hampered his career.

In his last 7 ODIs Naseem has picked up just 10 wickets, with an average of 36.80 and an economy eclipsing the 6 runs per over mark. He was taken apart in the first ODI Vs New Zealand on Saturday and once the future has suddenly become a pale shadow of his former self. Naseem looks out of confidence and since the Pakistan wickets will not suit his bowling, the team management could bring in an X-factor.

2) Kamran Ghulam

Kamran Ghulam ODI stats

Criterion
Data
Matches11
Runs210
Average30
50s/100s1/1

He was compared with Babar Azam when he made his international debut, but fast forward to a couple of months later and Kamran looks as if he doesn't belong at this level. He has a glaring weakness in his batting and time and again teams have exposed it.

Plus, his ODI numbers are also not promising. In 11 matches, he has amassed 210 runs, at an average of just 30. Just like Naseem, he too, was shown the mirror as the batter failed against New Zealand bowlers and Pakistan could get in a better batter in his place for the Champions Trophy.

3) Khushdil Shah

Khushdil Shah Vs New Zealand

Criterion
Data
Overs Bowled9
Run Conceded66
Runs Scored15

Instead of replacing Saim Ayub with an opener, PCB went ahead and picked up Khushdil Shah as his replacement in the squad. He hadn't played for Pakistan for a while and on his comeback, didn't look promising at all. He bowled 9 overs, and conceded 66 runs as he went at over 6 runs per over.

Also, as an all-rounder, he looked lacklustre as he scored just 15 off 18 in a chase of 331. In his place, Pakistan can get a proper batter, or can replace him with a quality spin bowling option.