Shoaib Akhtar: “You’ve been spoiling Fakhar Zaman for five or six years. He is a natural opener. Let him play his natural game”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar believes Fakhar Zaman has been used incorrectly by the team management for the past five to six years.
He noted that the 36-year-old is a “natural opener” and should therefore be utilised in that position.
Zaman recently featured in the 2026 T20 World Cup, but was only included in the playing XI for three games and ended up making 109 runs, which included a top score of 84, at an average of 54.50 and a strike-rate of 187.93.
“You’ve been spoiling Fakhar Zaman for five or six years. He is a natural opener. Let him play his natural game,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
Zaman was not selected for Pakistan’s recent two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, which concluded as a 1-1 draw.
Next up for Pakistan will be a three-Test series against England from August 19 to September 13.
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