Champions Trophy: Pakistani cricketers to keep an eye on

WEB DESK: Pakistan is yet to announce their finalised squad for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy. However, initial squads have been reported on by media.

Sure-fire picks such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Fakhar Zaman have all been named in the initial line-up and will undoubtedly be included in the squad.

But, a few names on the potential roster have a lack of international experience and could become part of Pakistan’s hidden arsenal, or the thorn at their side.

Here are the names to watch in the upcoming tournament.

Kamran Ghulam

29-year-old Kamran Ghulam is the best known of the less experienced lot, as he shot onto the international Cricket scene in 2024 as part of Pakistan’s squad against England in October. He was a pivotal part of Pakistan’s victory in the second test, scoring 118 runs, to help Pakistan reach a first innings total of 366. Kamran struggled in his next three test outings, with his best performance coming in the first innings of the first test against South Africa this last December, when he scored 54 runs.

In ODI’s, Kamran has played nine matches, not including his first game against New Zealand in January of 2023 when he was subbed on as a fielder. He only got the opportunity to bat in the first of the three-match series against Australia in November, in which he made five runs. Pakistan won the next two matches before Kamran was needed on the pitch.

The next series against Zimbabwe saw Kamran score his maiden ODI century in the third match. He struggled again in the subsequent series against South Africa in December, being dismissed for four runs in the first match, and for a golden duck in the third. However, he managed to score 63 in the second game.

Kamran will likely be an essential part of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad, coming in at the three spot to build off the play of the possible opening pair of Babar and Fakhar, or the pair of Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique.

Also read: Champions Trophy: Opening ceremony and squad details

Haseebullah Khan

Haseebullah is a 21-year-old wicketkeeper batter who is most known for competing in domestic contests. In First-Class cricket he has scored 923 runs across 21 matches with an average of 38.45. He has been even more impressive in List A, scoring 2301 runs across 50 innings in which he batted, giving him an average of 51.13. In the 30 T20 matches he has played, 14 of which were for the Peshawar Zalmi as part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he has scored a total of 517 runs, with an average of 20.68 and a high score of 72.

However, when it comes to the international formats, he has a lack of experience. Haseebullah has only competed in four matches, including three T20I’s and one ODI, all of which he struggled greatly in. In his first T20I outing, which came against New Zealand in January 2024, he was sent off for a duck on the third ball he faced. His next two performances came against Australia this past November, in which he scored 12 and 24 runs. In the same month, Haseebullah got his first chance at bat in ODIs, in a game against Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for a duck again, this time on the second ball he faced.

Hasebullah can be used as a backup option in case Rizwan succumbs to injury.

Abbas Afridi

Abbas is the nephew of Umar Gul, who was Pakistan’s second hgihest T20I wicket taker when he retired. Now, Abbas is trying to forge his own name, and began to do so in the PSL, as he finished as the top wicket-taker in the 2023 season with an apt 23 dismissals. His exceptional performance domestically earned him a spot in the international squad.

He has competed in 18 T20Is for Pakistan, across which he has taken 30 wickets. His best performance came against Australia in the series this past November, in which he took three wickets while conceding only 17 runs. Abbas has three other games in which he took three wickets each, including two against New Zealand and another against Zimbabwe.

Taking wickets has never been a problem for Abbas, however his economy has. Abbas has conceded 8.36 runs per over during his stretch in T20Is so far, making him a high risk, high reward option for Pakistan.

Also read: Australia thrash Pakistan in Women’s U19 T20 World Cup warm-up

Usman Khan

Usman is a 29-year-old top order batter who’s performed well in List A cricket. Across the 12 matches he has played, he has made 681 runs with a high score of 201 and an average of 75.66.

Usman’s only international experience comes from the 18 T20Is he has competed in. He has scored 232 runs across those games, with his high score of 52 coming against Australia this past November.

He is another player who could be Pakistan’s wicket-keeper if needed. Coming in at number four could be one option for Usman in the Champions Trophy.

Tayyab Tahir

Tayyab is a 31-year-old middle order batter who has a lack of experience internationally. He has only played in 11 games, eight of which are T20Is, while three are ODIs. Tayyab competed twice against Zimbabwe this past November, but only had the opportunity to bat in the second game in which he scored an unbeaten 29. In his last outing against South Africa in December, he scored 28 runs. He has been equally unremarkable in ODIs, his best performance coming against Zimbabwe in December, when he scored an unbeaten 39.  

Coming in as a number six batter can be an option for Tayyab if he is confirmed as part of the squad.

Also read: Mandhana, Rawal shine as India complete whitewash of Ireland

Irfan Khan

Irfan is a middle order batter who has played in 10 T20Is and eight ODIs. In the shortest format he has made a total of 153 runs, with his best performance coming against Australia this past November, when he scored an unbeaten 37. He has struggled more in ODI’s scoring a total of 48 runs across the five innings he batted in, with a high score of 22 against Australia in his debut.

While Irfan has yet to impress on the international stage, he could find himself with the opportunity to perform in the Champions Trophy. Coming in to bat at number 7 could be an option for him.