T20 World Cup 2021: Predicting Pakistan's squad for the tournament

5. Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman is one player that has not been utilised in the best way possible in the shortest format yet by the Pakistan team management. Despite being an opening batsman, the left-hander has been forced to bat in the middle order or No. 3 because of the management’s decision to back Rizwan and Babar at the top. 

Though the experiment with them has worked wonders for the Pakistan team, it does come at the cost of his batting position. The southpaw, though, seems to have been told that the more radical approach would be for him to bat three or lower as he has the ability to clear the boundary on a regular basis. 

What does not fall in favor of Zaman are his numbers in T20Is since 2018. He has played 40 innings in this period and returned with only 891 runs at an average of 22.84. His strike rate is above 140, but lack of runs in the format was the main reason why Pakistan had to go with Rizwan and Babar at the top. Zaman will surely find a place in the XI but where will he bat and how well will he adapt is a question to ponder upon.