Mohammad Rizwan isn't happy with this Pakistan star's inclusion in Champions Trophy squad, former cricketer's shocking claim sparks debate

Former cricketer Basit Ali has criticised Pakistan's selectors ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to start from February 19. Basit Ali feels Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was not pleased with the selection of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for the tournament. Former Pakistan's cricketer's remarks came after Mohammad Rizwan-led side's loss to New Zealand in the tri-series final in Karachi on February 14, where Faheem Ashraf scored only 21 runs and conceded 16 runs in 2.2 overs without taking a wicket.

Basit Ali, on his YouTube channel, claimed that Rizwan's handling of Ashraf during the match indicated his displeasure. Ali noted that Rizwan only bowled Ashraf for two overs initially and then brought him back into the attack only when the game was effectively lost for Pakistan.

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Rizwan clearly showed he was not happy with Faheem Ashraf being included in the team: Basit Ali

"Rizwan clearly showed he was not happy with Faheem Ashraf being included in the team. He didn’t give him the ball after just two overs and only used him again when the match was already lost,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

The selection of Faheem Ashraf for Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad raised eyebrows, considering his recent absence from the national side. Prior to the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Ashraf's last white-ball appearance for Pakistan was during the 2023 Asia Cup. He was notably excluded from the ODI series wins against Australia and South Africa.

Ashraf's ODI career has been marked by inconsistency since his debut in 2017. He has taken 26 wickets in 35 matches, averaging 46.31 with an economy rate of 5.18. His batting record isn't impressive either with 246 runs at an average of just 11.18. During the tri-series, he was not included in the playing XI for the group stage matches. Pakistan, having lost two of their three tri-series matches (both against New Zealand), will face the same opponent in their Champions Trophy opener on February 19th in Karachi.

Following their opening match against New Zealand, Pakistan will face arch-rivals India in a highly anticipated encounter before concluding their Group A campaign against Bangladesh. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. Should Pakistan progress to the semi-finals, their knockout match will be played in Lahore on March 5. Pakistan enter the tournament as the defending champions, having won the 2017 edition in England.

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Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, 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.