Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net former Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar criticised the Pakistani selectors for picking Imran Nazir as the only recognised opener in the Champions Trophy squad.

"It was insane to select Imran Nazir as the only opener in South Africa for the Champions Trophy squad. Twenty/20 cricket is ideal for Imran and he is one of the best players in the world in that form of the game, but you cant rely on him to score runs regularly in the 50 over form of the game. Imran is not a mainstay at the top of the order and he's certainly no Saeed Anwar or Hanif Mohammad is he" stated Mudassar who is now working for the ICC at their Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.

Mudassar who had 2 stints as Pakistan coach, further added "I just dont understand why there was so much experimentation going on during such an important tournament. Instead of having some stability and cohesion, we saw constant chopping and changing with Afridi opening in one game, Malik suddenly being pushed to the number three slot, then Younus was dropped down to four. All this changing of the batting order during the tournament hurt the team".

Mudassar was not best pleased with the treatment of Umar Akmal in South Africa either and stated "Umar should have batted at number three in every game. He has already shown in his short career that he has the skill and the temperament to bat at that spot. Instead of Shoaib Malik or Younus Khan batting at number three, it should have been Umar Akmal at the pivotal one down spot in every game. Rather than giving the youngster a chance at number three, they slotted him in at number 6 which was not acceptable or very bright. I have no idea why this is happening, Umar scored a century in a side game in Sri Lanka just before the one day series, yet couldnt get into the one day side".

In response to being asked about which other opener should have been taken to South Africa, Mudassar stated "Salman Butt should have been part of the Pakistan Champions Trophy squad. Sadly though he is now in the wilderness for playing one reckless shot in Sri Lanka and is being castigated because of that dismissal".

Regarding Younus Khan who at the toss stated that he was not fit and suffering from the finger injury that plagued him throughout the Champions Trophy tournament, Mudassar said "Only Younus knew how fit he was and whether he should have played. We have all played in matches when not 100% fit, but I dont think the injury hindered Younus' batting or was the reason why he dropped that very simple catch".

Kamran Akmal didnt escape criticism from Mudassar either and he stated "Kamran is someone who is very close to me, but that shot that he played in the final was terrible and triggered the batting collapse. I have no idea why Kamran played that shot and what he was thinking. I also feel that Yousuf batted too slowly in the final. Yes Pakistan had lost early wickets, but on that track there was no need to bat so negatively".