The Champions Trophy will begin in Pakistan in just a few days but even before that, a controversy is seen in Pakistan cricket. And the controversy is not between random people, but directly between Pakistan Cricket Board President Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan Cricket Team Captain Mohammad Rizwan. About 12 days before the tournament started on 19 February, the statements of Naqvi and Rizwan regarding team selection surprised everyone. On one hand, Naqvi has hinted at changes in the team right before the tournament, while Rizwan has denied any such possibility. Now, so close to the Champions Trophy, this difference in the statements of the PCB boss and the team captain has fuelled the controversy.
Pakistan had announced its 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy a few days ago. The selection of some players in it surprised everyone. 2-3 such players were also included in the team, who were out of the team for the last one and a half to two years but now they have returned directly for the Champions Trophy. At the same time, the absence of any specialist opener other than Fakhar Zaman in the team and the presence of only one main spinner have also raised questions. In such a situation, all eyes are on whether the selectors will make any changes in the team before the deadline or not?
In this matter, on Friday, 7 February, Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi said that changes can be made in the squad. Talking to the media, Naqvi said that the Board's selection committee is reviewing the squad. He said that the selection committee has the right to change or not change the squad for the Champions Trophy. Now from this answer, it is understood that discussions are going on in the selection committee regarding changes in the squad.
But what the team captain Rizwan said after this confused everyone. Rizwan said in a press conference in Lahore that there is no need to change the squad. The Pakistani captain clearly said that there is no need for any change in the squad because the best team has been selected for the Champions Trophy. Rizwan said that there has been no discussion about any change. Now just before the tournament, the different statements of the team captain and the board boss have given rise to controversy and it may also affect the performance of the team.
