Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed his reservations regarding the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf in the national team’s ICC Champions Trophy squad.

At a recent franchise press conference, Akram pointed out Ashraf’s disappointing performance in his first 20 matches, where he recorded a bowling average of 100 and a batting average of just nine. He questioned the logic behind Ashraf’s selection, stating, “What else can I say now?”

Akram also expressed astonishment at Pakistan’s overall squad choices, noting that while many teams worldwide were incorporating more spinners to adapt to subcontinental conditions, “Pakistan is only including Abrar Ahmed as their sole spinner.”

Other former cricketers, such as Tanveer Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, and Basit Ali, have echoed Akram’s concerns, particularly regarding the returns of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah. They have advocated for the inclusion of players like Sufyan Maqeem and bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal, questioning the reasoning behind the current selections.

Former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has also raised concerns about Ashraf’s inclusion in the squad, criticising the selection committee for their lack of adequate preparation and calling their efforts incomplete.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Latif highlighted the absence of opener Saim Ayub, a crucial player in securing victories, asserting that his lack of presence will be significantly felt. He pointed out that the team was missing a reliable opener despite Fakhar Zaman’s return, suggesting that Zaman might partner with Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam at the top of the order.