With the eagerly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on the horizon in the Asia Cup 2023 opener, former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has made a compelling suggestion that could potentially shake up Pakistan’s playing XI. Expressing concern about the performance of opener Fakhar Zaman, Raja has advocated for his exclusion from the lineup due to a recent dip in form.
As the cricket world gears up for the India-Pakistan showdown, Raja pointed out a crucial issue within the Pakistani side. Despite Pakistan appearing strong on paper, Fakhar Zaman’s lackluster recent performances have raised doubts about his ability to deliver at the highest level. Over his last four ODIs, Fakhar’s scores have been 2, 30, 27, and 14.
Addressing the situation, Raja offered his insight on his YouTube channel, stating, “The big problem is Fakhar Zaman. He is an unorthodox hitter, but when someone like that gets out of form, it takes some time to find solutions on the drawing board.” He went on to highlight Fakhar’s unique batting style, suggesting that his recent struggles could be attributed to a loss of form and confidence.
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Reflecting on Fakhar’s performance against Afghanistan, Raja observed, “His body language is suffering, and Pakistan needs an in-form opener. If Imam also gets dismissed cheaply, it creates pressure. Pakistan need to assess Fakhar.” He further recommended providing Fakhar with some time off to regain his form and confidence, stating that sidelining him temporarily could be beneficial for both him and the team.
Raja acknowledged Fakhar’s talent but cautioned against taking chances, especially in a high-stakes match against India. “He’s a good player, Pakistan has given him chances. But against India, with the form that he has, that chance is not worth being taken,” Raja concluded.
Under the leadership of Babar Azam, Pakistan made a strong start to the tournament by defeating Nepal by a resounding 238 runs in the curtain-raiser in Multan. The much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to commence at 3 PM IST.
