Star Batter Out, Spinner In; Report Claims Big Change To Pakistan's Champions Trophy Squad

Pakistan will face NZ in 1st Champions Trophy game [Source: @Waleedk4002/X]

According to emerging reports, Pakistan are expected to make a significant change to their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan recently announced a formidable team for the showpiece event. 

While the likes of Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf received a recall, the exclusion of several key players grabbed the eyeballs. 

Pakistan Likely To Replace Key Batter With Spinner

It's worth mentioning that the PCB selection committee recently received massive backlash from the media as well as ex-cricketers, with the team having a solitary spinner and designated opening batter. 

Amid the criticism, Pakistan's leading media agency ARY News has reported that the Men in Green might tweak their squad for the Champions Trophy, replacing a key middle-order batter with a spinner. 

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As reported, Pakistan could exclude Tayyab Tahir from their Champions Trophy squad while bringing Sufiyan Muqeem back into the mix. Currently, Abrar Ahmed is the only frontline spinner in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad, while Agha Salman is present as the spin-bowling all-rounder. 

Sufiyan Muqeem has played a single ODI, scalping four wickets at a superb strike rate of 12. He is a left-arm wrist spinner and can capitalise on the spin-friendly decks at home. On the other hand, Tayyab Tahir has batted on two occasions in ODIs, scoring 57 runs at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 142.5. 

Although he has impressive numbers in 50-over cricket, it won't be surprising if Pakistan bring an extra spinner at his expense, considering they already have potent middle-order batting options like Rizwan, Agha Salman and Kamran Ghulam. 

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