Pakistan’s middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed’s spot in the national team has come under scanner following a series of disappointing performances.

The right-hander failed to make a mark in both the ODI and T20 World Cups. With the fast-approaching Champions Trophy 2025, it remains to be seen if Iftikhar gets picked in the squad for the upcoming white-ball assignments against Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Amid the scrutiny, Iftikhar Ahmed will have a chance to regain his form and prove his worth in the upcoming Champions Cup, where he will turn up for the Mohammad Rizwan-led Team Wolves.

Ahead of the domestic tournament, a video of Iftikhar has gone viral on social media, in which he can be seen making a rather self-deprecating remark on his place in the batting order.

When a reporter called him a "middle-order batter", the visibly frustrated Iftikhar referred to himself as a “tailender.”

Here’s the video:

Pakistan faced a first-round exit in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after losing to debutants USA and arch-rivals India.

Iftikhar Ahmed played in two games of the tournament but failed to make a significant contribution. He returned with scores of 18 and 5 against USA and India, respectively.