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3 Undeserving Players Who Can Get Lucky Entry Into Pakistan's Champions Trophy Squad

Debashis Sarangi

Pakistan haven't revealed their Champions Trophy squad [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X]Pakistan haven't revealed their Champions Trophy squad [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X]

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The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy isn't far away from us. Eight top-tier ODI teams- Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and Afghanistan- are preparing for the marquee event, which is all set to be conducted from February 19 to March 9. 

Talking about Pakistan, the hosts have yet to announce their squad for the Champions Trophy. As rumours and speculations continue to build around Pakistan's squad, here are three undeserving players who might get a lucky entry into the team. 

1. Irfan Khan Niazi

  • Regarded as one of the promising middle-order batters, Irfan Khan Niazi has failed to impress as a ODI cricketer. In five ODI innings, Irfan has struck only 48 runs at a miserable average of 9.6. 
  • However, the Pakistan team management has backed him to the core in recent white-ball matches. Another factor that might go in Irfan's favour is that he hasn't got ample game time, so his sample size isn't sufficient enough to declare him a failure. 
  • He has scored 571 List-A runs at a strike rate of 96.77 and considering Pakistan have sidelined the likes of Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz from the ODI team, Irfan might get a wildcard entry into the Champions Trophy squad despite not living up to the expectations. 

2. Mohammad Hasnain

  • Mohammad Hasnain is a talented seamer who can move the ball both ways. However, despite being a gifted cricketer, Hasnain has yet to cement his place in Pakistan's white-ball setup. 
  • The fast bowler received a much-awaited ODI recall after performing admirably in the National One-Day Cup. But he hasn't been able to replicate similar success in ODIs, scalping only 17 wickets at a poor strike rate and economy. 
  • Nevertheless, with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf expected to play as Pakistan's three first-choice seamers, the hosts might prefer Hasnain as the reserve pacer, as he was present in their squad for the recently held series. 

3. Haseebullah

  • Swashbuckling keeper-batter Haseebullah Khan is one of the most dynamic players in the Pakistan Super League. However, the youngster hasn't been an outstanding performer in international cricket. 
  • The 21-year-old has managed only 36 runs at a horrible average of nine in four white-ball outings for Pakistan. Although these stats don't support his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad, Haseebullah might luckily book his berth due to two reasons. 
  • Firstly, he is reported to be one of the potential replacements for Saim Ayub, who might miss the tournament due to an ankle injury. Secondly, as Pakistan have sidelined the likes of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azam Khan and Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah could be the frontrunner to be the reserve wicketkeeper in the squad.