Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil shah expressed his surprise at being included in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, especially since his last ODI appearance before the ongoing season was in 2022.

Despite not making a significant impact in the recent tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Shah stood out during Pakistan’s 60-run loss to the Black Caps on February 19 in the ICC event.

Shah contributed with his part-time left-arm spin, taking figures of 0-40 from his seven overs. Coming in at No. 7 with Pakistan chasing 321, he played a crucial role in their recovery, scoring a rapid 69 off 49 balls, pushing the team’s total to 260.

Although mostly seen as a white-ball player, Shah had been out of the national selection radar for some time, with his last T20I appearance in the 2023 Asian Games. His exclusion before the 2022 T20 World Cup had raised questions about his future in the national side. However, his impressive performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rangpur Riders earned him a surprise spot in the squad, surprising both fans and pundits alike.

Khushdil Shah expressed surprise at his selection, stating, “Even I don’t know how I made it to the team, as I have been overlooked by the selectors for the past two years.”

Regarding criticism, he remained unfazed, saying, “I don’t let it affect me because people will always have opinions. The best response I can give is to perform well and contribute to my team’s success.”

Shah had beaten Faheem Ashraf to secure a place in the playing XI for the first match, and his recent contributions could help him retain his place for now.

Pakistan’s next match in the Champions Trophy 2025 will be against India in a Group A encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, February 23.