Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman is prepared to embrace a new role in the national team’s T20I set-up as they revamp their batting order for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. With Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub expected to open, and Babar Azam likely to bat in the middle order, Fakhar may find himself batting in the middle order instead of his usual opening position.
Despite the potential change in his role, Fakhar remains positive and considers himself fortunate to be part of the national team. He emphasized that it’s not a sacrifice but a decision made by the management and captain to utilize his skills in a different batting position.
“It’s not a sacrifice. It’s the call taken by the management, captain. They are playing me despite me not fitting in as an opener. But they are seeing the good in me that I can win matches for Pakistan even while batting in the lower order,” Fakhar stated during a press conference.
Acknowledging the competition for places in the team, Fakhar expressed his readiness to adapt, saying, “It’s the national team, and 1000s of cricketers are in line to get a chance. I consider myself lucky, given the way Babar (Azam), (Mohammad) Rizwan and Saim (Ayub) are playing, to be in the team. It’s a team game, and I am ready and happy to bat even at No. 6 or 7.”
While Fakhar has previously batted lower down the order for Pakistan, the role of a finisher is relatively new to him. In the upcoming series, he is expected to partner with Azam Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle order, with Aamer Jamal following at number seven, and skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi coming in at eight.
Fakhar’s performance in the upcoming series and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) could be crucial in securing his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
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