Danish Kaneria: “On a given day, he can make a big difference and play the role of Fakhar in the team”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria sees no reason why batsman Saud Shakeel can’t play Fakhar Zaman’s role in the team.
Kaneria believes that on his day, Shakeel is capable of making a “big difference”, just like Zaman has done so on numerous occasions in the past.
Shakeel was recently involved in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and scored 23 runs in two games at an average of 11.50.
The 29-year-old from Karachi enjoyed more success in the 2025 Champions Trophy as he made 68 runs in two games, which included a top score of 62, at an average of 34.
“On a given day, he can make a big difference and play the role of Fakhar in the team,” Kaneria told IANS as quoted by NDTV.
Pakistan were knocked out in the group stage of the Champions Trophy as they lost to New Zealand and India.
Their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan will now embark on a tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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