- Fakhar Zaman, a left-handed batter for Pakistan, has struggled in recent matches.
- Zaman has managed only 139 runs in his last seven outings, with a high score of 33.
- Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has suggested that Zaman should be dropped from the lineup.
In recent matches, left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman has struggled to meet expectations, failing to score a fifty in his last seven ODI innings. This has sparked a debate regarding his inclusion in the final XI for the upcoming match against India on September 2nd in the Asia Cup 2023.
During his last seven outings, Zaman has only managed to score a total of 139 runs, with his highest score being 33. Pakistan started their campaign strongly with a dominant 238-run victory over Nepal in Multan, and now they are gearing up for the high-stakes clash against their arch-rivals, India, who will be playing their first game of the tournament.
Following their convincing win over Nepal, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will make any changes to their lineup. However, both experts and fans have expressed concerns about Fakhar Zaman’s performance and are urging the team management to explore alternative options.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja voiced his opinion on the matter, suggesting that Zaman should be dropped from the lineup for the match against India in the Asia Cup 2023. Raja highlighted Zaman’s recent struggles, stating that he is an unorthodox hitter whose out-of-form period requires time to address. He also noted that Zaman’s bottom-handed playing style and preference for the leg-side have contributed to his difficulties.
Raja emphasized that Zaman’s body language appears to be suffering, and an in-form opener is crucial for Pakistan. If Imam-ul-Haq, the other opener, also fails to perform, it puts additional pressure on the team. Therefore, Raja believes that Pakistan should assess Zaman’s form and consider giving him some time off.
He suggested that sidelining Zaman could be beneficial for both him and the Pakistani team, acknowledging that Zaman is a talented player who has been given numerous opportunities. However, given his current form, taking the risk of playing him against India might not be wise.