Batter Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan is prepared to be adaptable and fit into the national team’s Twenty20 international lineup. The Shaheen Shah Afridi-led team is expected to rearrange the core batting unit’s position for the forthcoming five-match Twenty20 International Series against New Zealand. This might potentially compel Fakhar to bat in the middle and abandon his custom of opening. In the away series, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub are expected to open with Babar Azam batting in the middle order.
The 33-year-old said he is “lucky” to be a member of the Pakistan team and that he is prepared to bat anywhere, even though it may complicate his place in the starting XI. He clarified in the simplest form that since the team management had given him a new job, it is not a sacrifice.
It isn’t given up. Captain, that’s the call that management made. I don’t belong as an opener, but they are playing me.
Fakhar Zaman was cited as stating at a press conference, “But they are seeing the good in me that I can win matches for Pakistan even while batting in the lower order.”
There are thousands of cricket players waiting in line to play for the national squad. Given the way Saim Ayub, Babar (Azam), and Muhammad Rizwan are playing, I count myself fortunate to be on the team. I’m willing to bat even at No. 6 or 7, as it’s a team game,” he continued.
Although the top order best suits Fakhar’s style of play, he has batted for Pakistan as low as number three in the past. As a result, he’s still getting used to playing the finisher role. Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan will probably be his middle-order partners. At number seven, Aamer Jamal might come after him, and at number eight, the captain Afridi.
In the interim, it is also unclear where Fakhar will compete in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Premier League may be his last chance to earn a spot in the T20 World Cup team, should he struggle in the forthcoming series.