Shahid Afridi: “If this doesn’t work out, Pakistan could give [a] chance to Fakhar Zaman as an opener during the World Cup”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan powerhouse Shahid Afridi believes if Saim Ayub continues to fail as an opening batsman, Fakhar Zaman can take his place at the top of the order in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Ayub has made 284 runs in 20 T20Is to date at an average of 15.77 and a strike-rate of 130.87.
Considering the 21-year-old is still searching for his maiden half-century at the international level, Afridi hopes the youngster manages to turn his fortunes around.
If not, the former captain reiterated his desire to see Zaman open the batting.
“If this doesn’t work out, Pakistan could give [a] chance to Fakhar Zaman as an opener during the World Cup,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Ayub mustered 57 runs in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand at an average of 14.25 and a strike-rate of 129.54.
He then proceeded to make 65 runs at an average of 21.66 and a strike-rate of 151.16 in the three-match T20I series against Ireland.
Next up for Pakistan will be four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
After that, they will feature in the T20 World Cup, which will be played in the West Indies and United States of America from June 1 to 29.
Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan