Concerns Over the Opening PairFormer Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed his concerns regarding the national team’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Speaking to a private TV channel, Latif pointed out that the squad lacks a specialist opening batsman. While Fakhar Zaman has made a return, Latif speculated that Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam might take up the opening role.
Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam are possible openers. Latif noted that the team selection appears to lack clarity on the opening combination. He suggested that with no dedicated opener visible in the squad, the team management might opt for either Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam to open the innings alongside Fakhar Zaman.
Missing Players and Unexpected InclusionsOne of Latif’s major concerns was the exclusion of young opener Saim Ayub, whom he described as a key player capable of securing victories for the team. He emphasized that Saim Ayub’s absence will be felt deeply.
Additionally, Latif questioned the sudden inclusion of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf, players who were not recently active in the domestic or international circuit. He highlighted that some players who toured Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa are missing from the current squad, raising further questions about the selection process.
Criticism of the Selection Committee’s ApproachLatif criticized the selection committee, suggesting that they did not adequately plan for the Champions Trophy. He expressed concern over the sudden inclusion of several players, stating that while all selected players are talented, many of them have had long gaps in their cricketing careers. This, he believes, could impact the team’s performance in the prestigious tournament.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pakistan’s preparations for the Champions Trophy.
