Shoaib Akhtar: “Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he was not played earlier”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowling icon Shoaib Akhtar said Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener and questioned why he has not been used in that role more often.
Pakistan have deployed Zaman in several batting positions in recent times, but when he was restored as an opener during the 2026 T20 World Cup, he made an immediate impact by smashing 84 off 42 balls against Sri Lanka.
In total, the 36-year-old only featured in three games during the tournament, amassing 109 runs at an average of 54.50 and a strike-rate of 187.93.
As a result, Akhtar was baffled by Pakistan’s decision not to include him in the playing XI more regularly.
“Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he was not played earlier,” he said on Tapmad as quoted by NDTV.
Zaman was not picked for Pakistan’s ongoing two-Test series against the West Indies, where the men in green are 1-0 down after losing the 1st Test by 90 runs.
The 2nd Test will take place in Trinidad and Tobago from August 2 to 6.
After this, 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