Tanvir Ahmed: “Fakhar Zaman is batting at numbers five and six of his own accord, and if he isn’t doing so willingly, then Fakhar should tell the national team management that I don’t want to bat at the lower order”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan seamer Tanvir Ahmed has called on Fakhar Zaman to say something to the team management if he is not happy batting at number five or six.
Traditionally one of Pakistan’s most explosive top order batsmen, Zaman has been pushed down to make room for emerging players in the line-up.
Tanvir believes the 35-year-old veteran should not silently accept the change if he feels it limits his natural game and restricts his time at the crease.
“Fakhar Zaman is batting at numbers five and six of his own accord, and if he isn’t doing so willingly, then Fakhar should tell the national team management that I don’t want to bat at the lower order,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Zaman is currently part of Pakistan’s team for the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, but he has yet to be included in the playing XI for a single game.
The men in green have made it to the Super Eights after beating the Netherlands, United States of America and Namibia in the group stage. Their only loss came against India.
Pakistan’s first game in the Super Eights, which was against New Zealand, was abandoned due to persistent rain.
They will be back in action on February 24 when they take on England in Pallekele.
Pakistan Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq