Pakistan’s opening batter in ODIs, Fakhar Zaman hasn’t opened the batting for the team since early 2021. At the time, he was out of the team and was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan. The latter scored more than 1500 runs in the shortest format in that calendar year. Meanwhile, even though Zaman made his comeback, he started batting at number five.
In the 20-20 World Cup 2021, the left-hander batted at number three and has batted there ever since. There is a section of Pakistani fans that believe that the 2017 Champions Trophy winner must open the innings in the shortest format. Apparently, the pair of skipper Babar Azam and Rizwan open the batting and have been criticized for their strike rate.
Not to forget, in the first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand early this month, Zaman scored a quick-fire fifty. Alongside Saim Ayub, Zaman provided a platform for the team to get to a match-winning total. In the first ODI against the Blackcaps on April 27, the Pakistan Air Force veteran scored another ODI hundred and the team won.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are ahead of me: Fakhar Zaman
After the first ODI, a reporter asked whether he would like to open the innings in T20Is too. In reply, he said that the likes of Babar and Rizwan are better players of spin than himself.
“I have played as an opener throughout my career but if you look at the team’s situation – I don’t speak diplomatically – do you think Babar and Rizwan can hit more against spinners or I can?
“I think I can hit big more often than them so we need a left-hander in a team combination, in-fact we need two left-handers. I don’t think anybody else should open given how Babar and Rizwan have been batting,” said Fakhar Zaman.
This is how Twitter reacted
Perfect then send shan masood as an opner and send him one down so that babar gets no.4 position as he us Perfect middle order batsman.
— Syed Yasir (@syali783) April 27, 2023
Bechara aur kya bolega..use bhi pata hai ke opening slot to milega hi nahi kyunke so called openers kudh adjust nahi karenge kisi aur position pe aur baqi sab ko adjust karayenge.#PAKvNZ
— Zoha khan (@Zohakhan73) April 27, 2023
Zehen aise bane hei ab logon k wo fakhar ki is statement ko apni apni andaaz se pesh krhei nge
— ????? ????? (@searchspeaks) April 27, 2023
To be honest being indian i think fakhar zaman is best impact player for pakistan he can win u big games , he s big match player if had a power i ll make him play every icc tournament for pakistan
— Chuddakad vohra (@ArtistArti65945) April 27, 2023
To be fair, he can't do much about it since Babar is the captain and he decides it. But I am also sure that Babar didn't put the gun on his head and forced him to say that. So all chill out.
— Slick Daddy (@Banstyle93) April 27, 2023
Fakhar ko ni pta ye bat k usko konsa number per khelna chaheye propaganda walo ko pta 1 world class batsman mila or aik hi reliable wicket keeper hy us k b peechy per gye in ko views or pese milty rahy mulk jaye bhaad mai Gandy log hn ye media wale
— Waleed Qayyum (@WaleedQayyum11) April 28, 2023
Fakhar and babar deserve opner jb tk fakhar opner aya babar ko avg 50 ki the q k babar pr pressure ni ana deta tha wo apne class inning khelta tha or fakhar tez runs krta tha
— Its_Bilal xaif GONDAL(PTI) (@bilalsaifgonda4) April 27, 2023
Never complained about anything always plays for team selfless Fouji Match winner ??
— Asad Abbas Jaffery (@Jaffery555) April 27, 2023
Nice ct final century for babar rizwan
— GOATROHIT45 (@sachinq518) April 28, 2023
In terms of quality,In terms of records and number bro in terms of se bahar kyo nhi aate tum or tumhari team?
— Niraj (@NirajKu98867279) April 28, 2023
