'There is a reason why India have picked four spinners' - Wasim Akram expresses concerns about Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad

Defending champions Pakistan are going to kick-start the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy on February 19 when they take on New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Ahead of the marquee event, the legendary Wasim Akram expressed his concerns about Pakistan's squad composition.

According to the former speedster, Pakistan should have taken a leaf out of India's book and picked more spin-bowling options in the side. Abrar Ahmed is the only frontline spinner in the side and batting all-rounders like Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah might be used when needed. On the other hand, India have picked Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav in their side. Akram was also critical about all-rounder Faheem Ashraf's selection as he pointed out his abysmal stats in recent matches.

"I haven't thought about the team announcement yet. But a couple of things that I have thought about. For instance, Faheem Ashraf is in the team. I wish him all the best. [He is] a talented cricketer. But in the last 20 matches, his average bowling is 100 and his average batting is 9. He came out of the blue and Khushdil also came out of the blue. And we are taking one spinner, a proper spinner. I think India has ordered 3 to 4 spinners in their squad. There is a reason behind that they have selected this. Anyway, the team has been selected. I wish Pakistan team all the best," Akram told media on the sidelines of the DP World ILT20 2025.

Akram was delighted that Fakhar Zaman was picked in the side. The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Babar Azam should open the batting. Akram further suggested that captain Mohammad Rizwan should bat in the middle-order.

"And now there will be a problem of opening as well. Fakhar Zaman has been picked, thank God he is back in the squad. [He is] one of the main players in world cricket in white ball. Now with that, you have to play in the middle order. I would like to see [Mohammad] Rizwan as a middle order batter. And maybe tell Babar [Azam] to open. Babar's technique is great. If Babar plays 50 overs, he will do 100 or 125, and with that the entire team's batting will go. This is my opinion," Akram said.

"And all the fast bowlers, Naseem [Shah] is back, Shaheen [Afridi] is there, Haris [Rauf] is there and of course [Mohammad] Hasnain is there too. And if you want to invest in someone for a long term, [Aamer] Jamal was there, but he is not in the squad. So, I hope there is a mindset behind this...," he added.

Also Read: 'If betraying had a face' - Dejected Aamer Jamal takes dig at PCB over Champions Trophy snub

Speaking about Pakistan's chances of defending the title, Akram said that the Men in Green should at least make it to the semi-finals and see how things pan out from there on.

"Look, I would love Pakistan to win obviously being a Pakistani. But it won't be easy. Top 8 in world cricket are playing. And they're playing quite a few games. India-Pakistan game is in Dubai. And we've seen Dubai wicket has no grass on it. So, the ball [will be] gripping. It will be a part-time spinner that will make the difference. But if you're a regular team with three spinners, then you will have a problem in comparison. My gut feeling is that we (akistan) should come to the semi-finals. And then we'll see what happens," he concluded.