IND vs PAK: Ramiz Raja Urges Babar Azam To Drop Fakhar Zaman From Playing XI Against India

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team player and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz Raja, has urged skipper Babar Azam to drop the out-of-form opening batsman Fakhar Zaman from the playing XI for the clash against India National Cricket Team in the Asia Cup 2023.

The Men In Green registered an outstanding 238-run victory over the Nepal National Cricket Team in the Asia Cup opener at the Multan Cricket Stadium. They will next take on arch-rivals India National Cricket Team on Saturday, September 2, in the 3rd match of the event at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Although Pakistan won their first game, the senior opening batsman Fakhar Zaman once again failed to get going. The 33-year-old left-handed batter scored just 14 runs in the match. He was also extremely poor with the bat in the recent season of the Lanka Premier League and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Ramiz Raja has labeled Fakhar as the “big problem” in the team ahead of the clash against India.

“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,” said Ramiz on his official YouTube channel.

Sidelining him is better for him – Ramiz Raja on Fakhar Zaman

Raja further said that the Pakistan team management needs to assess Fakhar as he has been struggling and his body language is not looking good either.

He added that Fakhar should be left out of the playing XI for the clash against India and it will be the best decision for the team as well as the opening batsman.

“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,” he said.

“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.”