Pakistan have decided to stick with their already chosen Champions Trophy squad after the selectors reviewed it following widespread criticism about the inclusion of certain players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the selectors reviewed the 15-member squad after the selection of batter Khushdil Shah and allrounder Faheem Ashraf invited criticism. But a reliable PCB source said there will not be any last-minute change, even as the deadline by the International Cricket Council (ICC) technical committee for making changes ends on Tuesday.
“The same 15 players will represent Pakistan in the coming (Champions Trophy) tournament and if there is any injury problem with any player that will be dealt with according to the ICC tournament rules,” he said.
Pakistan’s CT squad was strongly criticised by some former players and experts for not having more than one specialist opener and for picking just one specialist spinner — Abrar Ahmed.
Pakistan’s defeat to New Zealand in the opening match of the tri-Series only intensified the criticism and Naqvi said last week that the selectors would be reviewing the squad.
“The selectors have reviewed the squad and feel it is the most balanced side for the 50-overs cricket no matter what happens in the tri-series,” the source said.
Captain Muhammad Rizwan has also defended the selected squad insisting that Pakistan didn’t need more then one specialist spinner in their squad as the emphasis would be on pace bowlers.
The source also added that pacer Haris Rauf who had suffered a muscle cramp during the game against New Zealand would be fine for the tri-series final (if Pakistan qualifies) and for the ICC showpiece.
“He is being rested for tomorrow’s game against South Africa to allow him recovery time,” he added.
Pakistan has suffered a body blow before the CT when in-form opener Saim Ayub was ruled out for 10-weeks after an ankle injury sustained while fielding in the second Test against South Africa in Capetown last month.
Haris Rauf set to be fit for Champions Trophy opener
The Pakistani selectors are confident that fast bowler Haris Rauf will be fit in time for the February 19 Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand even though he was ruled out of the three-nation ODI tournament on Tuesday. Haris, who sustained a muscle injury while bowling against New Zealand in the tri-series opener, is said to have been advised rest and skip the remaining matches of the three-nation event.
“This has been done so that he has ample time to be ready for the Champions Trophy,” an official close to the team said.
He said that Haris was with the national side and was being well taken care of by the physio, strength and conditioning coach and team doctor.
After Haris underwent a MRI and X-ray scans, the PCB released a statement confirming the injury.
“The injury is not serious, and Haris Rauf is expected to make a full recovery in time for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins in Karachi on February 19,” the statement said.
“However, as part of his rehabilitation and as a precautionary measure, Rauf will not be available for selection in Pakistan’s next match against South Africa on February 12,” the statement added.
Pakistan CT squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c) Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf.
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