Host Pakistan has recalled opening batter Fakhar Zaman and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for next month’s Champions Trophy while Saim Ayub was ruled out due to fractured ankle.
“We recognise how devastating it must be for him (Ayub) to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form,” national selector Asad Shafiq said on Friday.
“As a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritising his long-term health over making any rushed decisions.”
Left-handed opening batter Ayub had been in prolific white-ball form, scoring two centuries in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. However, he sustained injury during a test match against South Africa at Cape Town earlier this month and is undergoing rehabilitation in London.
The selection committee has made four changes from the squad that went on to beat South Africa 3-0 in Pakistan’s last ODI series. Abdullah Shafique, Irfan Khan, Ayub and left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem were replaced by Ashraf, Fakhar, Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel.
Fakhar had been sidelined from international cricket due to injury and illness since last June before scoring 303 runs in a domestic T20 tournament in his comeback to competitive cricket in December.
Fakhar is one of the three survivors along with Ashraf and Babar Azam, who were part of the Pakistan squad which won the last Champions Trophy, hosted by England and Wales in 2017.
Pakistan’s test vice-captain Shakeel also returned to white-ball cricket after having last played at the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023, but the left-hander was ignored for Pakistan's last three ODI series wins against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive approach and match-winning capabilities are vital to our plans,” Shafiq said. “Likewise, Saud Shakeel is an experienced, intelligent and calculated batter who constructs his innings thoughtfully and excels at building partnerships.”
Shafiq said that Babar or Saud could be Fakhar’s opening partner, depending on opposition and conditions.
All-rounders Ashraf and Khushdil will provide Pakistan cushion in the middle-order. Ashraf played his last ODI in Sept. 2023 while Khushdil, who last played an ODI in Aug. 2022, got the selectors’ nod after his good performances in the domestic season.
“The selectors have continued to adopt ‘horses for courses’ approach,” Shafiq said. “Our focus has been on selecting players who have consistently excelled in domestic competitions under similar conditions, demonstrating their readiness to perform in a global event.”
Pakistan is scheduled to host a tri-nation series with South Africa and New Zealand as a build-up for the Champions Trophy, starting at Lahore from Feb. 8. The same 15-man Pakistan squad will compete in this series.
Pakistan is placed in group A of the Champions Trophy along with arch-rival India, New Zealand and Bangladesh. It will start its campaign against New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament on Feb. 19 at Karachi.
The ICC will organize the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model after Board of Control for Cricket in India didn’t get its government’s permission to travel to Pakistan. India will play all its group matches in Dubai. The first semifinal will also be played in Dubai which also hosts the final, in case India qualifies for it.