Left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman has failed to live up to expectations in his last few matches and failed to score a fifty in his last seven ODI innings, sparking debate over his inclusion in the final XI against India on 2 September. .
The opening batsman has scored just 139 runs in his last seven outings with the highest being 33 runs.
Pakistan and India will face each other in the highly anticipated match of Asia Cup 2023 in Kandy, Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The Green Shirts kicked off their campaign with an emphatic 238-run win over Nepal in Multan on Wednesday and now prepare for a high-voltage match against arch-rivals India, who will be playing their first match of the tournament.
The man in green is unlikely to make any changes to his line-up after the convincing win against Nepal but pundits and fans have questioned Zaman’s performance and urged the team management to look for other options.
On Wednesday, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said that Zaman should be dropped from the line-up for the Asia Cup 2023 match against India.
“The big problem is Fakhar Zaman, he is an unorthodox hitter, but when a player like that is out of form, it takes some time to find a solution on the drawing board. He is an underhand player, plays on the leg side. But somehow he adjusts to it and scores,” Raja said on his YouTube channel after the match between Pakistan and Nepal.
“He played three matches against Afghanistan and he didn’t make his mark either. His body language is suffering, and Pakistan need an in-form opener. If Imam also gets out cheaply, it will create pressure. Happens. Pakistan need to gauge pride. Sure they should rest, give him some time out. Sidelining him is better for Pakistan as well, he is a good player, Pakistan. has given him opportunities, but against India, in the form he has, that opportunity is not worth taking,” he added.
