‘Is Pakistan scared? They are unsure. Hope I’m wrong': PCB pulled up for delay in Champions Trophy squad announcement
The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) hasn't revealed their team for the Champions Trophy yet. Former Pakistani cricket player Basit Ali thinks this delay is mainly because of Saim Ayub's fitness issues.
Among the eight teams - India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan -, Pakistan, the official host of the Champions Trophy 2025, is the one only one to still unveil their team for the second most important event in the ODI format. Five weeks before the tournament started, ICC's first deadline to choose a provisional squad for the Champions Trophy was January 12.
Though some teams, like India, took one more week to announce their squad, with only weeks to go before the first Champions Trophy match, Pakistan remain the only team yet to do so. All clubs can notably make changes to their squad by February 11. Technically, Pakistan still have time to announce their last squad.
"Does Pakistan fear that the roster has not yet been released? Not at all." In a YouTube video, Basit said, "Karein to kya karein? (Is Pakistan scared to announce their squad? No, it isn't; Samajh nahi aa rahi hai.)"
"The most pressing problem is whether Saim Ayub will be able to come back in shape. It is still not obvious.
Currently shaken by an ankle injury that has put his taking part in the Champions Trophy under serious question, Ayub started his international career off well by scoring 515 runs in only 9 ODIs including two centuries in South Africa. Ayub's injury came in the South Africa Test series.
0 Comments