Islamabad, Feb 17: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has once again voiced his concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection policies, questioning the inconsistencies in squad selection ahead of crucial international tournaments like the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His remarks follow the surprise inclusion of Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Tayyab Tahir in Pakistan’s squad, a decision that has sparked widespread debate within cricketing circles.
Speaking to Geo News, Latif revealed that he had engaged with PCB officials regarding the return of players who were previously discarded from the national setup, including Faheem Ashraf. He found it perplexing that despite the all-rounder’s alleged strong performances, he was neither awarded a central contract nor selected for recent overseas tours to Australia, Zimbabwe, or South Africa.
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“If Faheem had such good records, why wasn’t he awarded a central contract? Why wasn’t he part of the squad in past overseas tours?” questioned Latif, emphasizing the flawed nature of the selection process rather than blaming the players themselves. He also compared the current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s administration with that of former PCB head Zaka Ashraf, noting that selection inconsistencies have persisted across different leaderships.
“We keep thinking things will change when chairmen change, but their work remains the same. Some players were sitting on this very TV channel (Geo Super), and suddenly, before a big event, they were selected this happened under Zaka Ashraf, and now the same thing is happening under Mohsin Naqvi,” he remarked.
Latif’s comments reflect growing concerns over last-minute selections for major tournaments, especially since Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah had not been part of Pakistan’s ODI squad for years before making a sudden return. Their lackluster performances in the recent tri-nation series have only amplified the criticism surrounding their inclusion.
Despite criticism from seasoned experts like Rashid Latif, Pakistan is unlikely to make any changes to their Champions Trophy squad. With the tournament set to begin, all eyes will be on the team’s performance, particularly in their opening match against New Zealand on February 19. While fans remain hopeful for a strong showing, another underwhelming tournament could bring even greater scrutiny upon the team management and PCB’s selection policies.
