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Ex-Pakistan Cricketer Verbally Assaults PCB's Poor 'Imported Player' Selection

Soumyajit Dutta

Pakistan Cricket Team and Ahmed Shehzad [Source: @iamsmohsin/X.com]Pakistan Cricket Team and Ahmed Shehzad [Source: @iamsmohsin/X.com]

Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has launched a scathing critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, accusing the management of neglecting homegrown talent and making last-minute, ill-planned changes.

During a special Champions Trophy edition of Geo News’ show Haarna Mana Hai, Shehzad lambasted the inclusion of all-rounders over specialist spinners and raised concerns about Babar Azam’s forced transition to opener.

Ahmed Shehzad Lambasts Management For Poor Selection

Shehzad slammed the PCB for abandoning young players previously groomed for the national team, opting instead for 'imported' picks from T20 leagues.

"Good boards start building their teams in advance. But the players you had been fielding earlier, the young stars, you didn’t utilize them properly."

Highlighting examples like Irfan Khan Niazi, Tayyab Tahir, and Faisal Akram, Ahmed Shehzad argued that inconsistent opportunities derailed their development. Ahmed also reserved sharp criticism for the exclusion of leg-spinner Usama Mir, who was sidelined amid controversy.

"Sufiyan Muqeem came in, and you threw him against David Miller, where he got hit for three sixes. All these decisions, players you were developing, suddenly, you had a realization! No, no, this is the ICC Champions Trophy; we need to change everything!" 

Shehzad mocked the selectors’ reliance on T20 league performances, calling it a reactive strategy. "Under the ODI format, you have basically imported players," Shehzad remarked.

Fitness Concerns And Babar Azam’s 'Unfair' Pressure

Shehzad raised alarms about the fitness of players transitioning from T20 leagues to ODIs showing concern on their stress management as well. 

"You’re bringing players from the T20 format to ODIs. How much strain will that put on their fitness, and are they fit enough for this transition?" Shehzad asked.

He saved his harshest words for the management’s decision to push Babar Azam into opening.  Shehzad also emphasized the toll of 50-over cricket on Babar, who has anchored Pakistan’s middle order for a decade. He added:

"You’re forcing Babar Azam to open, does he even agree to this? He dominates in ODIs, and the way he has consistently performed, very few Pakistan players have matched that. Fielding for 50 overs, then scoring a century, then fielding again for 50 overs and scoring 70 runs, that’s all to Babar’s credit." 

Moreover, Shehzad’s critique paints a picture of a disjointed selection process prioritizing short-term fixes over long-term planning.  By sidelining young prospects, overlooking spin depth, and destabilizing Babar Azam’s role, the PCB, he argues, risks undermining Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign. 

With that being said, Pakistan will have to give a tough test in the upcoming matches in Champions Trophy with the most-awaited being the India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for February 23.