Pakistan finalise Champions Trophy squad

The Pakistan Cricket Board has eventually finalised their squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be played in England and Wales in June. Earlier they had announced the preliminary squad. The team will be led by wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed and former captain Azhar Ali has also been brought back for the mega event. Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq said earlier that the experience of Azhar Ali could come handy in the mini World Cup.

Only one name which is missing from the preliminary squad is all-rounder Aamir Yamin who has played 3 ODI’s for his country. His name was on the stand-by list with Fahim Ashraf and the latter got the nod. It will be tough times for the Pakistan team who hasn’t performed to their potential in the recent past.

Despite their 2-1 series victory against West Indies, Pakistan looked pretty ordinary during the short series and didn’t do their qualification process to the 2019 World Cup any good. They might be facing the probability of competing in the qualifying stages which might be the lowest point in Pakistan’s cricket history.

The Asian giants are currently playing a Test series against the Caribbeans which will be Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan’s last assignment in Pakistan colours. It will be a huge void to feel as these two have been the stalwarts of Pakistan cricket for years. Younis Khan is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever from Pakistan to have graced the game, while Misbah ul Haq was the pioneer in transforming Pakistan cricket during the lows of match fixing in 201 to becoming the No.1 Test side in 2016.

Pakistan team for Champions Trophy

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Ahmad Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan.

The tournament will be played from June 1-18 and for the first time West Indies won’t be part of a mega event. Meanwhile, Pakistan plays their first encounter against India on June 4 following by South Africa and Sri Lanka on June 7 and 12 respectively.