Veteran commentator and former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has suggested captain Babar Azam drop the out-of-form opener Fakhar Zaman from the playing XI for their upcoming match against India.
The arch-rivals will resume their rivalry on Saturday in Pallekele for their Group A clash. Pakistan are coming off having given Nepal a proper thumping by 238 runs in Multan, where captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed smashed centuries before the bowlers bundled Nepal out for only 104.
Their bigger challenge is against Rohit Sharma’s Indian team now on September 2. For that game, and the coming matches, Ramiz Raja feels that Fakhar Zaman should be sidelined and be given some time for introspection on the dip in his form.
Fakhar Zaman is not worth being taken: Ramiz Raja’s advice to Babar Azam
Zaman was out for 14 runs against Nepal, failing to grab an opportunity to come back to form. He’s been struggling for a while now: he has not gone past 35 in his last 7 ODI innings; this is a big shock because just before this 7-innings rut, he had smashed three consecutive centuries against New Zealand.
Speaking in his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja said: “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’s a bottom-handed player, plays on the leg-side, somehow he adjusts with that and scores.”
“He played three matches against Afghanistan and couldn’t make a mark as well. His body language is suffering, and Pakistan need an in-form opener. If Imam also gets dismissed cheaply, it creates pressure. Pakistan need to assess Fakhar. I believe they should rest him, give him some time out. Sidelining him is better for him as well as the Pakistan side. 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.”
While fans are excited for the India-Pakistan match, rain could play spoilsport as there is a 91% chance of rain forecasted for Saturday in Pallekele.
If the IND vs PAK match is washed out, then 1 point will be given to both sides and Pakistan will move through to Super 4. Then the India vs Nepal match will become a must-win clash for both teams, and the winning side will progress to the Super 4 round.
