Pakistan has opened their Asia Cup campaign with a victory in the tournament’s first match against Nepal on August 30. With set to face India in their second match, former player Ramiz wants a player to be sidelined from the main squad.
Ramiz Raja suggests to drop Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan won their match against Nepal with a 238-run difference at Multan Cricket Stadium. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed were impressive as they had a partnership score of 214 runs in 131 balls. Babar Azam scored 151 runs and backed the team in the time of crisis.
Iftikhar Ahmed had scored a maiden century in 67 balls and joined the elite list of batters with the fastest ODI century. He also became jointly fifth fastest Pakistan player with Basit Ali to score the fastest hundred in 67 balls. Shadab Khan was impressive with his bowling performance as he scalped four-wicket haul to ensure a quick victory for his team.
Choosing to bat first, the Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman was sent out with 14 runs. He remains to lack the form which is the main concern for the team management. He has shown some poor performance in Pakistan’s recent ODI series against Afghanistan with scores of 2,30 and 27 in three games.
With the concern of their match against India, the former player Ramiz wants this player to be sidelined for some period to regain his focus and batting performance.
“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.
“He played three matches against Afghanistan and couldn’t make a mark as well. His body language is suffering, and Pakistan needs 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,” he concluded.
Pakistan will be facing India in the highly anticipated group A match on September 2, Saturday at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. These rivals could potentially meet three times in the Asia Cup if they make it through the Super Four and Finals.
