Aqib Javed Explain Player Exclusion From Champion Trophy Squad

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Kashif Javed

Pakistan’s Interim Coach Aqib Javed Breaks Silence on Sufiyan Muqeem and Irfan Khan’s Exclusion

Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach, Aqib Javed, addressed the media on Wednesday, shedding light on the reasons behind the omission of spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and middle-order batter Irfan Khan from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.

Aqib Javed stressed the importance of distinguishing between performances in different formats. He highlighted that Irfan Khan, despite showing promise in T20Is, lacks substantial ODI experience.

Read: Pakistan Out Off Champion Cup Trophy 2025 Race

“Irfan Khan has played only eight ODIs, and unfortunately, he hasn’t made a significant impact in those games,” Aqib Javed explained.

Regarding Sufiyan Muqeem, Aqib Javed provided insight into the young spinner’s selection journey. He clarified that Sufiyan Muqeem is still very much in their plans for the future.

“We selected Sufiyan Muqeem based on his potential. He made his ODI debut in South Africa, and before that, he performed impressively in T20Is in Zimbabwe,” Aqib Javed said.

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their final group-stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi, despite having been eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India.

Read: ICC Champion Cup Trophy Winner List