Former Pakistan captain and cricket commentator Wasim Akram poses for a photograph. — Instagram/@wasimakramliveofficial/File
Former legendary pacer Wasim Akram got here out in assist of Pakistan’s squad, dismissing allegations of favouritism in staff choice following their loss to New Zealand within the Champions Trophy opener on the Nationwide Financial institution Stadium on Wednesday.
Talking on a present alongside Cheteshwar Pujara and Nikhil Chopra, Akram emphasised that the present staff contains the most effective obtainable gamers and refuted claims of choice primarily based on private references.
“If you want me to be brutally honest, I can be. In our culture, we say, ‘These are our kids, don’t criticise them.’ But I believe these are our best players. If there was someone better, they would have been selected. People talk about ‘parchi’ (selection based on favouritism), but at this level, parchi doesn’t work,” Akram asserted.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Champions Trophy marketing campaign has suffered a major setback as opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been dominated out of the match resulting from damage.
Pakistan’s Naseem Shah celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Will Younger, caught out by substitute Faheem Ashraf. — Reuters/File
In his place, Imam-ul-Haq has been drafted into the squad for the remaining matches.
Fakhar sustained the damage whereas fielding throughout Pakistan’s match in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. The left-hander fell awkwardly within the opening over and was compelled to go away the sphere for medical analysis.
The Occasion Technical Committee of the ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 has authorized Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar’s alternative in Pakistan’s squad.
All participant replacements require official approval from the committee earlier than being added to the squad.
Imam, who was already a part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad, not too long ago showcased his type with a powerful 98-run knock in a warm-up match in opposition to South Africa.
Within the match opener, defending champions Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat in opposition to New Zealand. Chasing a frightening goal of 321, the Males in Inexperienced have been bowled out for 260.
Khushdil Shah top-scored with a quickfire 69 off 49 deliveries, whereas Babar Azam contributed 64 off 90 balls.
For New Zealand, Will Younger and Tom Latham struck centuries, whereas Glenn Phillips’ explosive 61 off 39 deliveries supplied a vital increase to their complete.
Pakistan now face a do-or-die conflict in opposition to arch-rivals India of their subsequent fixture, a must-win encounter to maintain their title defence hopes alive.
Pakistan’s up to date squad for Champions Trophy
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
