With whispers of a potential captaincy change in Pakistan cricket team growing louder, Fakhar Zaman emerged as a surprising contender.
Babar Azam’s captaincy has come under fire after disappointing performances in both the ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024, leading fans and former players to look for new leadership options.
Shoaib Malik Endorses Fakhar Zaman
Recently, veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik endorsed Fakhar Zaman as a potential candidate for the white-ball captaincy.
Malik praised Fakhar’s fearless approach, stating, “According to today’s fearless cricket, Fakhar Zaman should be considered for white-ball captaincy because he has the sense and leadership capacity for it.”
Younis Khan’s Support for Fakhar
Before Malik, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan also suggested Fakhar Zaman as a viable replacement for Babar Azam.
During an interview on a local channel, Younis highlighted Fakhar’s performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, particularly his turnaround in form that helped Pakistan’s campaign.
“Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the side? Isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do well in the last 50-over World Cup? Who is that one player who gave us hope? Zaman started the 2023 World Cup in India poorly; however, in the second half, he turned his form around, which coincided with Pakistan’s success,” Younis said.
Fakhar Zaman’s Potential as Captain
Fakhar Zaman, a seasoned player with over 80 ODIs and 80 T20Is, has never captained Pakistan in his seven-year international career. Yet, his experience, adaptability to different formats, and various batting positions showcase his cricketing maturity.
His aggressive batting style has been a hallmark of his success, which could translate into a proactive captaincy style, taking calculated risks and keeping the opposition on the back foot.
Fakhar’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations, as seen in several ICC event matches, such as the World Cup 2023 clash against New Zealand and the memorable ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against India, suggests he can handle the captain’s burden in crucial encounters.
A New Leadership Era?
As Pakistan looks to rebuild and revitalize its cricket team, the idea of Fakhar Zaman as captain brings a fresh perspective.
With support from prominent figures like Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan, Fakhar’s leadership could be the change Pakistan needs to regain its footing in international cricket.
Only time will tell if Fakhar Zaman will don the captain’s cap, but the prospect is certainly an exciting one for Pakistan cricket fans.
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