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Abdullah Shafique And...? Rizwan Likely To Drop 3 Players From Pakistan's Champions Trophy Squad

Debashis Sarangi

Abdullah Shafique had a poor SA tour [Source: AP]Abdullah Shafique had a poor SA tour [Source: AP]

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We are inching towards the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy with each passing day. After so many debates and discussions regarding its potential venue, the tournament is finally set to get underway in a hybrid mode, with India playing their matches at a neutral venue. 

Regarding Pakistan, the hosts are currently engaged in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, an assignment significantly important for their Champions Trophy preparations. While some players have made their case stronger with impressive outings in Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa, some have made people raise doubts about their place through a string of poor performances on these tours. 

So, as Mohammad Rizwan and co gear up for the marquee event, here are three players who are on the verge of getting dropped from Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad. 

Abdullah Shafique

  • The stylish right-handed batter was instrumental in Pakistan's historic ODI series win in Australia, amassing 113 runs, including a half-century across three outings. 
  • However, if we break down his performances, Shafique has done nothing significant apart from two fifties, averaging only 28 in his last nine ODI innings. More importantly, he has struggled against the moving ball, making himself a walking wicket against quality pace attacks. 
  • While his opening partner Saim Ayub has grabbed the limelight with a string of impressive performances in white-ball cricket, Shafique's inconsistency and vulnerability at the top-order might cost him his place if he doesn't regain his mojo in the tri-series at home before the Champions Trophy. 

Irfan Khan Niazi

  • Irfan Khan Niazi is another player who might be shown the exit door before the Champions Trophy. The middle-order batter has been a disappointment with the bat for Pakistan, managing only 48 runs in five innings at a horrible average of 9.60. 
  • With skipper Rizwan and his deputy Agha Salman batting at four and five, respectively, Pakistan need someone like Kamran Ghulam, who can up the ante lower down the order. Also, considering they have a more impactful replacement like Tayyab Tahir, the Men in Green might axe Irfan Khan from their ODI setup. 

Aamir Jamal

  • The fast-bowling all-rounder was a part of Pakistan's squad for the recently held Zimbabwe series. However, despite being given several chances, Aamir Jamal couldn't emerge as Pakistan's strike bowler, scalping only three wickets at an ordinary economy of 5.31. 
  • Although he wasn't going to make it into the first-choice XI anyway, the Zimbabwe series was a golden opportunity for him to exhibit his class and seal his place among the reserves. However, as the seamer couldn't live up to the expectations, we don't see Pakistan including him in their ODI squad for the Champions Trophy.