'Even MS Dhoni Cannot...': Former Pakistan Captain Blasts Team Selection After Champions Trophy Elimination
Former Pakistan women's captain Sana Mir said even Mahendra Singh Dhoni cannot change the fortunes of her country's men's cricket team.
The Pakistan men’s cricket team lost their first two matches in the ICC Champions League 2025 to crash out of the tournament they are hosting.
Former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir feels such is the state of cricket in her country that even a talisman like Mahendra Singh Dhoni cannot change the team’s fortunes.
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“The 15 that have been selected (in Champions Trophy squad), even if you make MS Dhoni or (former Pakistan skipper) Younis Khan captain, nobody can do anything to the team because it has not been selected on the basis of the playing conditions," Sana Mir was quoted as saying on ‘Game On Hai’ programme.
“I was watching the match when I got a message from a friend that India are 100 for 2 ‘I think it’s over’. So, I said the match was over when the squad was announced," said the 39-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator.
Mir, who has represented Pakistan in more than 300 white-ball games mainly as a right-arm spinner, said Pakistan made a mistake by not picking the team on the basis of the conditions.
“Half the tournament we had lost when we announced the 15-member squad, and I am saying this from day one.
“They (selectors) knew that Pakistan had to play at least one match in Dubai, so how did you bring two part-time spinners.
“Abrar (Ahmed), who is still new in ODI cricket… in the last five months, they have taken two wickets conceding 165 runs. The selectors removed key players who played in last two series against Australia and South Africa," said Mir.
Abrar cuould only register one wicket from his 10 overs against india, despte being the most economical bowler for Pakistan, conceding just 28 runs.
“Irfan (Khan) Niazi was a good fielder, showed good power-hitting (in the T20I and ODI series against South Africa)… so, we lost the tournament when we announced the squad."
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favourite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
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