Fakhar Zaman and Sharjeel Khan should open for Pakistan in T20 cricket: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi reckoned that the left-handed duo of Fakhar Zaman and Sharjeel Khan should open the batting for the Men in Green in T20 cricket. Of late, Pakistan have used their skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as their two openers in the shorter format.

But Afridi said that Fakhar and Sharjeel possess the ability to put Pakistan on the driver’s seat in the powerplay itself. Sharjeel has shown ominous form in the National T20 Cup, scoring 339 runs for Sindh with one century and a half-century, but he isn’t in Pakistan’s squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Zaman, on the other hand, was a part of the travelling reserve for the event in the UAE. But he made his way into the 15-member squad, swapping positions with Khushdil Shah.

I’m not happy with Zaman’s batting position, says Shahid Afridi

“Everyone has their opinion but I think that Fakhar Zaman and Sharjeel Khan should be Pakistan’s openers in T20 cricket. Even if one of them clicks, we will win the game inside the first six overs,” Afridi was quoted as saying on his official YouTube channel.

Afridi, who last played international cricket in 2018, was of the opinion that Fakhar, who’s playing for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the National T20 Cup, isn’t equipped to bat in the middle order.

“I’m not happy with Fakhar Zaman’s batting position. I don’t know who has told him to bat at number five or six because he has played as an opener throughout his career. Our team needs an opener like him who can score as many runs as possible in the first six overs,” he stated.

Apart from roping in Fakhar, Pakistan made two more changes in their squad for the World Cup. They drafted in Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali and left out Mohammad Hasnain and Azam Khan.

Afridi was clear cut in saying that Khan needs to work on his form and fitness to become a regular member of the Pakistan national squad.

“No, he [Azam Khan] should not be part of the side right now. He doesn’t have the required form and fitness. He needs to work really hard on them and especially his fitness,” Afridi added.