Samit Patel: “I mean come on playing Fakhar Zaman at number five. He is one the best openers Pakistan have had. It’s very sad to see”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel admitted it was sad seeing Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman batting at number five during the 2026 T20 World Cup when he is “one of the best best openers” the country has had.
Patel admitted to being baffled by Pakistan’s decision to push Zaman, who possesses so much firepower, so far down the order.
The 36-year-old has been moved around the batting line-up a lot as of late, a move many believe has affected his performance.
“I mean come on playing Fakhar Zaman at number five. He is one the best openers Pakistan have had. It’s very sad to see,” Patel said on X.
Zaman was not picked for Pakistan’s ongoing two-Test series against the West Indies, which began on July 25 in Trinidad and Tobago.
After playing the West Indies, Pakistan will tour England for three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah