Fakhar Zaman And...? Pakistan Likely To Drop These PSL Legends For Champions Trophy

Debashis Sarangi

Fakhar Zaman won't be picked for Champions Trophy [Source: @ICC/X]Fakhar Zaman won't be picked for Champions Trophy [Source: @ICC/X]

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After securing a clinical three-nil win in the South Africa ODIs, Pakistan are gearing up for a tri-series, which will be their final ODI tournament before the all-important Champions Trophy. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan have a robust lineup and can give the opposition a run for their money. 

However, with several fresh faces showcasing their mettle at the highest level, some experienced players, who are also legends in the Pakistan Super League, will likely be dropped from the Champions Trophy squad. 

Fakhar Zaman

  • Fakhar Zaman is a white-ball great and played an instrumental role in Pakistan's triumphant Champions Trophy campaign in 2017. The swashbuckling southpaw hammered a blistering hundred in the final, leading Pakistan to the title. 
  • However, the experienced cricketer sustained an exponential downfall as a lean patch and fitness concerns led to his exclusion from the ODI team. Fakhar is a legendary figure in the Pakistan Super League, having amassed the second-highest runs in the tournament. However, he has been replaced by Saim Ayub, who is all set to open the batting for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. 

Shadab Khan

  • Pakistan's premier allrounder Shadab Khan is one of the finest white-ball cricketers in the country. Apart from his wily spin bowling, Shadab has powered Islamabad United to unprecedented heights with his explosive batting and astute leadership. 
  • However, the veteran cricketer, who bowled a match-winning spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, is no longer a part of Pakistan's ODI setup. He was excluded from the team after failing to step up as the lead spinner in the 2023 ODI World Cup. 
  • He has been replaced by Agha Salman, who will play a significant role for the Men in Green in the showpiece event. 

Hasan Ali

  • Hasan Ali is the most successful PSL bowler among active cricketers, having scalped 108 wickets in 81 matches. 
  • The fast bowler was the linchpin of Pakistan's bowling attack in the 2017 Champions Trophy, bagging 13 wickets in five innings at a superb strike rate of 20.54. However, the ace pacer lost his form, with Pakistan ignoring him in their white-ball setup. With Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf forming a formidable pace trio, Hasan Ali won't be picked for this year's Champions Trophy at home.