Last Updated:
Khushdil Shah top-scored for Pakistan in the first Champions Trophy 2025 match played against New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
Khushdil Shah scored 69 runs from 49 balls for Pakistan on Wednesday against New Zealand. (Picture Credit: AP)
Khushdil Shah top-scored for the Pakistani team in the Champions Trophy 2025 match played against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19. He came out to bat at No. 7 and, with the help of 10 fours and one six, scored 69 runs from 49 deliveries. After Pakistan went down by 60 runs in the first match of the tournament played at National Stadium in Karachi, Khushdil said that he was surprised by his selection in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing eight-team tournament.
According to the 30-year-old batter, he himself doesn’t know “how I got into the team.”
Ever since Khushdil made his ODI debut in November 2020 against Zimbabwe, the 30-year-old has played only 14 50-over games, while he has not played a T20I since October 2023.
He disappointed with the bat and ball during the recently concluded tri-series in Pakistan, also involving New Zealand and South Africa, but was in the playing XI for the Champions Trophy opener.
“I myself didn’t know how I got into the team because I have been out of favour with the selectors for two years now,” Khushdil said on Wednesday night.
The left-arm spinner also said he doesn’t get agitated when the crowd calls him “” Parchi”—someone who is being favoured.
The PCB selectors have faced a lot of criticism for picking Khushdil ahead of Faheem Ashraf.
“I don’t take it (criticism) to heart because you can’t stop people from saying what they say. The only answer I can give is to do my best and play a role in helping our team win,” he said.
Khushdil said he did not lose hope despite New Zealand setting a 321-run target in the CT opener. Khushdil said that he and Naseem Shah were hopeful that if they could take the match into the final over, anything could happen.
After losing the first match against New Zealand in front of home fans, Pakistan will travel to Dubai to take on India in the second Group A match. The high-voltage match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 23.
- Location :
Karachi, Pakistan
&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Sourav Ganguly confirms Rajkummar Rao will portray him in biopic – Firstpost")
