Former national team cricketer Basit Ali has named Test team captain Shan Masood as the first choice to replace national team opener Saim Ayub in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Basit Ali advised the team management that if Saim Ayub is not fully fit for the Champions Trophy, then Shan Masood should open the batting with Fakhar Zaman.
He said that Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman are the best pair for the ODI format, but in their absence, Shan Masood can open and then Babar Azam and Rizwan come to bat.
Shan Masood last played an ODI match against New Zealand in 2023, where his average was just 18.11 and he could score 163 runs in 9 matches.
Basit Ali said that if Pakistan once again needs a spin all-rounder, then the chances of Shadab Khan’s return are bright. He last played in an ODI against England in the 2023 World Cup.
Shadab has played 70 ODIs in his career, scoring 855 runs at an average of 25.90, while as a bowler he has taken 85 wickets at an average of 34.82 with an economy rate of 5.24.
