“Misbah-ul-Haq told me that I could do best at fourth or fifth batting position in T20Is”: Fakhar Zaman

[Cricket Warrior]

Better to try both Fakhar and Saim as openers

I would rather be 0-2 in the first over doing the right thing instead of being 45-0 in 6 overs playing the coward way with Babar and Rizwan.

Man up and play the game how it’s supposed to be played

since Saim is not in good form so it would be a disastrous move before the mega event. This combination should have been tried well before the World Cup to assess its potential effectiveness but not now.

 

[emranabbas]

Considering the problems in Pakistan middle-order, Fakhar is best option be have atm for number 4.

There is no issue with Pakistan's middle order; the problem lies with the opening pair, Rizwan and Babar. When they bat until the 14th over at a run-a-ball pace, what can the middle order realistically do?

The middle order is forced into pressure situations, having to play extremely high-risk cricket to compensate for the slow start by Rizwan and Babar.

If Babar and Rizwan wish to open, they need to score at an average of 10 runs per over to reach 140 by the 14th over. Holding onto wickets only to expect the middle order to go all out in the last 5 overs is futile.

Or let saim and fakhar open let them play the power play and rizwan babar can come in the middle overs and the last 5 overs lower order can go all out

 

[BouncerGuy]

There is no issue with Pakistan's middle order; the problem lies with the opening pair, Rizwan and Babar. When they bat until the 14th over at a run-a-ball pace, what can the middle order realistically do?

The middle order is forced into pressure situations, having to play extremely high-risk cricket to compensate for the slow start by Rizwan and Babar.

If Babar and Rizwan wish to open, they need to score at an average of 10 runs per over to reach 140 by the 14th over. Holding onto wickets only to expect the middle order to go all out in the last 5 overs is futile.

Or let saim and fakhar open let them play the power play and rizwan babar can come in the middle overs and the last 5 overs lower order can go all out

Babar and rizwan have not been opening for the last 3 series and things have not got better since then but they got worse. Saim experiment failed badly till now.

Fakhar should replace saim for sure now considering the fact that we fans don't want RizBabar to come back to open. Fakhar is the best possible guy in this squad who can replace saim else he should stick to number 4 where he has been batting brilliantly.

 

[emranabbas]

Babar and rizwan have not been opening for the last 3 series and things have not got better since then but they got worse. Saim experiment failed badly till now.

Fakhar should replace saim for sure now considering the fact that we fans don't want RizBabar to come back to open. Fakhar is the best possible guy in this squad who can replace saim else he should stick to number 4 where he has been batting brilliantly.

In cricket, success doesn't happen overnight; building a strong team can take years, often starting right after the previous World Cup. What has Babar been doing for the past two years sleeping? And only woken up three series ago and remembered oh yeah we heve the worldcup. Your suggestion is exactly what's wrong with pakistan cricket.

First, it was Rizwan and Babar for two years, which didn't work.

Then they try Saim and Babar for ONLY three series in comparison to 2 years, and that also didn't work.

Now back to square one with Rizwan and Babar, which is still not going to work

So back to square 1

 

[BouncerGuy]

Now back to square one with Rizwan and Babar, which is still not going to work

Who said that riz and babar are going to open again? I don't think this sis going to happen any time soon.

 

[emranabbas]

Those suggesting go back to Babar rizwan is the dumbest suggestion ever if its not worked for the past 2 years why is it gong to work now

And what's even worse is suggestion fakhar to play #4 just because he hit few scores against newzealand C team and Ireland

Is this the level of pakistan cricket that it's going to be measured against Ireland and newzealand C Team

 

[emranabbas]

Who said that riz and babar are going to open again? I don't think this sis going to happen any time soon.

Anyways middle order isn't the issue if your greedy openers are going to eat up balls till the 14th over there's not much middle order can do with very limited balls left to play.

Those two eating up balls for personal miles stones and stat padding is the problem

 

[followed]

This misbah guy is the worst thing ever happened to Pakistan cricket.

He has destroyed Pakistan cricket single-handedly.He has destroyed many careers.

He is responsible for this meek approach in every Pakistani batsmen barring few.

Even when he is not in power he is still destroying Pakistan cricket.

Fakhar is true opener he should always open.
That low IQ babar has to come to his senses and make fakhar open the innings.

 

[emranabbas]

This misbah guy is the worst thing ever happened to Pakistan cricket.

He has destroyed Pakistan cricket single-handedly.He has destroyed many careers.

He is responsible for this meek approach in every Pakistani batsmen barring few.

Even when he is not in power he is still destroying Pakistan cricket.

Fakhar is true opener he should always open.
That low IQ babar has to come to his senses and make fakhar open the innings.

I would say anything but low IQ babar

He's a very cunning person has the whole system on his finger tip and using it to his advantage

Infront of the public he acts so innocent with that face

 

[mominsaigol]

There is no issue with Pakistan's middle order; the problem lies with the opening pair, Rizwan and Babar. When they bat until the 14th over at a run-a-ball pace, what can the middle order realistically do?

The middle order is forced into pressure situations, having to play extremely high-risk cricket to compensate for the slow start by Rizwan and Babar.

If Babar and Rizwan wish to open, they need to score at an average of 10 runs per over to reach 140 by the 14th over. Holding onto wickets only to expect the middle order to go all out in the last 5 overs is futile.

Or let saim and fakhar open let them play the power play and rizwan babar can come in the middle overs and the last 5 overs lower order can go all out

No issue? Chacha, shadab are hilariously bad in the MO lol.

 

[RidiculousMan]

And stats don't lie. Fakhar has best record in no. 4 position now. Both in terms of average, strike rate and impact. Sometimes I'm just in awe on the insight that Misbah has.

 

[BouncerGuy]

And stats don't lie. Fakhar has best record in no. 4 position now. Both in terms of average, strike rate and impact. Sometimes I'm just in awe on the insight that Misbah has.

People just cannot stand babar and rizwan in the top 3 and just want someone else to replace them. Fakhar is looking pretty good so far at number 4 and his stats and inning impact should be enough for them but still "FAKHAR SHOULD OPEN FAHAR SHOULD OPEN" is there.

 

[mominsaigol]

And stats don't lie. Fakhar has best record in no. 4 position now. Both in terms of average, strike rate and impact. Sometimes I'm just in awe on the insight that Misbah has.

Hahahahahahaha. Okay jokes aside in assuming you're serious here but let's actually look at all of Misbah's genuis insights.

2013-2015

1) Who told Misbah to drop sharjeel Khan for someone like jamshed/shehzad or Imran farhat? Sharjeel had poor form as well but not nearly as poor as these 3 clowns, in fact sharjeel had made an entire reputation of being a massive minnow basher such as the insane bullying he gave to Ireland, something that our players years later she struggling on, Saim especially.

In fact Misbah went out of his way to claim sarfraz who was the highest run scorer in both avg and sr at opening and was a wicket keeper to replace UA, Doesn't warrant a place over jamshed and akmal because they haven't been given enough chances?

What chances? These guys have Been mainstay since 2009, 2012 and 2013 respectively. And it's a world cup? Why do you feel the need to give chances and experiment on a world cup stage?

It was the ultimate humiliation that the guy misbah was sidelining for 6 games is the man who got him in the semi final against sa, and considering 4 wickets went down against Ireland and we reached UA, and after that was afridi and the tail, Without sarfi's 100 it was game over.

Fans underestimate Ireland, fact is we always beat them based of the performances of 1 player and minor cameos from the rest, otherwise we lose.

2) Who Told misbah to give asad shafiq the greatest run at no 3 in odi in history? Who? Who oj earth gives a player 65 bloody games?

3) Who told Misbah to take a 37 year old Irfan to Australia?

What on earth can a 37 year old 7 foot do to Australia in its strongest den?

infact who asked misbah to completly alter the no 1 ranked t20 side which had a 96% win record by changing its opening to shehzad, Imam and then rizwan and babar, Changing the middle order to kushdil, Chacha and asif( asif who had been dropped recently), and brining fakhar in the middle order? When with fakhar the side was ranked no 1 when he opened?

Misbah didn't win a single series during his coaching stint, none, he won 2-1 Against Zimbabwe mashallah.

Sarfraz and mickey were the greatest captains and coach we had in the past decade from 2014 to 2024. That's a fact, sooner people understand this, the better.

 

[Ahmed216]

Misbah did get this one right alongwith making Rizwan open the batting.
I am expecting Fakhar to excel like never before in this format now because he seems comfortable at 4.

 

[emranabbas]

No issue? Chacha, shadab are hilariously bad in the MO

Chacha shouldn't be in the playing xi we have azam khan shadab should get replaced with abrar.

Fakhar
Saim/harris
Babar
Usman
Rizwan
Azam khan
Imad
Shaheen
Amir
Naseem
Abrar

 

[emranabbas]

People just cannot stand babar and rizwan in the top 3 and just want someone else to replace them. Fakhar is looking pretty good so far at number 4 and his stats and inning impact should be enough for them but still "FAKHAR SHOULD OPEN FAHAR SHOULD OPEN" is there.

all those innings fakhar has done well in, he has come in the powerplay overs low as 2nd over and 4th over
so he's not done well at #4 its just the who ever has been in the top 3 are doing rubbish for him to come in early as the 2nd over. your making it out as if he's come out in the 10th over and done well.

don't just look at the stats all so watch the matches so you get the full picture of the stats

 

[mominsaigol]

Chacha shouldn't be in the playing xi we have azam khan shadab should get replaced with abrar.

Fakhar
Saim/harris
Babar
Usman
Rizwan
Azam khan
Imad
Shaheen
Amir
Naseem
Abrar

Bro your squad will never happen, in the same way my squad won't happen. Ideally here's my squad

1) Fakhar
2) Usman Khan/ Saud Shakeel
3) Muhammad Haris
4) Tayyab Tahir
5) Imad wasim
6) Azam Khan
7) Shadab Khan (As a batsmen only, he can tulle baz with 140 sr here)
8) Shaheen Shah Afridi
9) Amir
10) Mohammad Ali
11) Abrar

^^ This is my squad preference with Abdullah shafiq as a backup no 3 incase haris doesn't get going and saim ayub as a backup opener.

Now will this squad ever happen? Lol no hahahahaha, Shadab, Chacha, Fakhar at 4 and ba/riz no 1 and no 3 zindabad

 

[emranabbas]

Bro your squad will never happen, in the same way my squad won't happen. Ideally here's my squad

1) Fakhar
2) Usman Khan/ Saud Shakeel
3) Muhammad Haris
4) Tayyab Tahir
5) Imad wasim
6) Azam Khan
7) Shadab Khan (As a batsmen only, he can tulle baz with 140 sr here)
8) Shaheen Shah Afridi
9) Amir
10) Mohammad Ali
11) Abrar

^^ This is my squad preference with Abdullah shafiq as a backup no 3 incase haris doesn't get going and saim ayub as a backup opener.

Now will this squad ever happen? Lol no hahahahaha.

mines was based on more likely even though chacha and shadab wont be dropped

 

[mominsaigol]

mines was based on more likely even though chacha and shadab wont be dropped

Their is no more likely with this squad. Your squad is as unlikely as Humans finding a way to colonise Mars. Aka atleast a 100 to 500 years away.

And my squad is as unlikely as humans curing death, aka an impossibility.

 

[emranabbas]

wasn't fakhar suppose to be the second coming of adam gilchrist at number 4

what happened?

 

[pakistani pride]

wasn't fakhar suppose to be the second coming of adam gilchrist at number 4

what happened?

According to?

 

[kach]

Fakhar should always open, gamble but he can take a game on his day. Why does Pakistan select these low IQ coaches who have no idea on how to manage their players?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Since now Pakistan is left with no choice, Fakhar can be the option tried back an opener. He is still better than all those SAIMs.
Time to get out of that no-look shot hoax and bring some necessary changes in.

 

[Sycamore]

i wonder why Misbah never changed his position to solve pakistan batting woes ?

Getting rizwan to open, getting fakhar no 4. Misbah and Babar are responsible for where the team stands now. Sarfaraz left the T20 team as one of the best in the world and these two just torpedoed it into the ground.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

He is not a great t20 player, he will always be inconsistent irrespective of where he plays.

Still, ideally he should open because that way if he is in touch he can take better advantage of the pp overs and can play more overs.

 

[GillEdits]

Who?? Agha Salman?

I am glad Pak has finally found a good number 4

 

[GillEdits]

Then, Misbah was also responsible for Pakistan side that advanced to the semifinals and finals of two straight t20 World Cups.
Give the credit where it's due.

Getting rizwan to open, getting fakhar no 4. Misbah and Babar are responsible for where the team stands now. Sarfaraz left the T20 team as one of the best in the world and these two just torpedoed it into the ground.

 

[mominsaigol]

How did this go for you Misbah?

 

[Rana]

Fakhar at 4 and Shadab at 5 will solve a lot of issues for Pakistan in the middle overs.

How many issues did this solve?

 

[Suleiman]

Don’t worry Fakhar, Misbah says that to every batsman with even an inkling of aggression.

Most overrated “tactician” ever by PCB and his fans.

If you are a conservative batsman, you open or are on top order. If you are aggressive, down the middle-lower order you go. Misbah logic.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fakhar Zaman speaks during an interview at the Champions One-Day Cup 2024:

"When I started playing cricket, my dream was to play First-Class cricket. And later, when I got the chance to play for Pakistan, I hadn't even thought that I would be able to represent my country."

"But when you're playing for your country, the batting order doesn't matter. And those who say that you're playing to build your innings, that thought shouldn't cross your mind."

"I play with the mindset that whether I open the innings or bat at 6 or 7, what matters is what benefits my team. And what benefits my team is also the best for my country."

 

[mominsaigol]

Fakhar Zaman speaks during an interview at the Champions One-Day Cup 2024:

"When I started playing cricket, my dream was to play First-Class cricket. And later, when I got the chance to play for Pakistan, I hadn't even thought that I would be able to represent my country."

"But when you're playing for your country, the batting order doesn't matter. And those who say that you're playing to build your innings, that thought shouldn't cross your mind."

"I play with the mindset that whether I open the innings or bat at 6 or 7, what matters is what benefits my team. And what benefits my team is also the best for my country."

The reason why people love fakhar zaman is because it's clear to this date that he truly plays for his team without any complaints and doesn't once think about himself.

People like rizwan only play for themselves, Babar as well.

As for why people want him to open, it's because while inconsistent, he's your X factor and proper match winner, you need to give your X factor the most deliveries by default.

 

[Mohraheem]

Fakhar career was going good till Misbah came and ruined his career. Laaalchi Misbah gave him tuktuk advice and he was unable to perform in T20World cup! Misbah slowly destroying players so his kid can come into international side!

 

[emranabbas]

Misbah and anyone who wanted fakhar at 4 have no clue what they are talking about

 

[Mohraheem]

Misbah is clueless about himself how he became a cricketer. He doesn’t know anything about t20. All he knows tuktuk defensive shot and dot balls

 

[ghalib kichlu]

Great advice by misbah
Hopefully fakhar will be getting experience playing at this position in the Caribbean and Sri Lankan t20 leagues posting not out scores of 15 and 20 every other innings
Hopefully he can reach the peaks of haider ali eventually

 

[Mamoon]

Misbah was 100% right.

The delusional 0 IQ clowns on this forum will never learn to accept the reality.

Fakhar is a rubbish T20I opener/number 3.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

It is clear beyond any doubt that he hasn’t got what it takes to perform in these positions.

He bats slower than Babar and Rizwan do and scores less than half the runs. If he is to play T20Is, he needs to bat at 4 or 5 or not play at all.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Think it was Misbah to set Babar Rizwan as opening duo in t20is. And they proved worth bw 2021 and 2022?

 

[Mamoon]

Absolute fraud.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Think it was Misbah to set Babar Rizwan as opening duo in t20is. And they proved worth bw 2021 and 2022?

Babar and Rizwan are only relevant in T20s in Pakistan, even associate nations have moved away from such players.

Do you see the likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi or Rahmat Shah play T20s for Afghans? They are prolific scorers for Afghanistan standards in ODI cricket but even they are not stupid enough to consider them in this format.

Let’s just move on from RizBar, even if we lose a million games.

 

[Mamoon]

Babar and Rizwan are only relevant in T20s in Pakistan, even associate nations have moved away from such players.

Do you see the likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi or Rahmat Shah play T20s for Afghans? They are prolific scorers for Afghanistan standards in ODI cricket but even they are not stupid enough to consider them in this format.

Let’s just move on from them, even if we lose a million games.

Moving on from them is pointless when you are playing Fakhar as an opener or number 3, when he has proved it time and time again that he is worse than Babar and Rizwan in the top 3.

He has a similar SR and scores nothing. This is my problem with PCB’s agenda. There is no consistency and logic in what they are doing. It seems like they just want to “punish” Babar and Rizwan and pick whoever they can find whether they deserve it or not.

Fakhar was doing really well in the middle-order in T20Is but PCB had to whip a running horse because they are out of touch with reality.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Moving on from them is pointless when you are playing Fakhar as an opener or number 3, when he has proved it time and time again that he is worse than Babar and Rizwan in the top 3.

He has a similar SR and scores nothing. This is my problem with PCB’s agenda. There is no consistency and logic in what they are doing. It seems like they just want to “punish” Babar and Rizwan and pick whoever they can find whether they deserve it or not.

Fakhar was doing really well in the middle-order in T20Is but PCB had to whip a running horse because they are out of touch with reality.

Fakhar is the only senior batter in this squad, so I doubt they drop him. He has more chances of winning you games in modern day T20 cricket than Babar or Rizwan.

I would look for replacements based on an entirely different reason though - his fitness issues are mounting. Injured every other game, so this is more like an Imad Wasim situation developing.

His replacement should be someone like Yasir Khan, Abdul Samad or Maaz Sadaqat, rather than going back to two irrelevant LOI cricketers.

 

[Mamoon]

Fakhar is the only senior batter in this squad, so I doubt they drop him. He has more chances of winning you games in modern day T20 cricket than Babar or Rizwan.

I would look for replacements based on an entirely different reason though - his fitness issues are mounting. Injured every other game, so this is more like an Imad Wasim situation developing.

His replacement should be someone like Yasir Khan, Abdul Samad or Maaz Sadaqat, rather than going back to two irrelevant LOI cricketers.

Fakhar has no idea how to bat in the top 3 in T20Is. He is explosive on paper but it doesn’t translate it to the pitch. The sample size is huge too. He is still leeching a few knocks from 2018.

PCB and his fans are in denial over him. Babar and Rizwan outperform him in PSL too.

He needs to be dropped with immediate effect and replaced by Babar at 3.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Fakhar has no idea how to bat in the top 3 in T20Is. He is explosive on paper but it doesn’t translate it to the pitch. The sample size is huge too. He is still leeching a few knocks from 2018.

PCB and his fans are in denial over him. Babar and Rizwan outperform him in PSL too.

He needs to be dropped with immediate effect and replaced by Babar at 3.

Babar, absolutely not. He is woefully out of touch and has shown no improvement in his game.

As I said, they will continue with Fakhar for the short term till the likes of Yasir Khan, Abdul Samad or Maaz Sadaqat can be seen stepping up to this role.

 

[Greenstorm]

Fakhar has no idea how to bat in the top 3 in T20Is. He is explosive on paper but it doesn’t translate it to the pitch. The sample size is huge too. He is still leeching a few knocks from 2018.

PCB and his fans are in denial over him. Babar and Rizwan outperform him in PSL too.

He needs to be dropped with immediate effect and replaced by Babar at 3.

PSL 2025:

Fakhar Zaman: avg: 34 Sr: 153 (2nd highest runs scorer)
Babar Azam: avg: 36 Sr: 129
Mohammad Rizwan: avg: 52 Sr: 139

 

[Mamoon]

PSL 2025:

Fakhar Zaman: avg: 34 Sr: 153 (2nd highest runs scorer)
Babar Azam: avg: 36 Sr: 129
Mohammad Rizwan: avg: 52 Sr: 139

Babar was in poor touch and had a similar average, still. Rizwan outclassed him like he has consistently done every season since moving to MS to open.

There is no more than enough evidence both at international and PSL level to suggest that Babar and Rizwan are better than Fakhar in T20s as top 3 batsmen, but some people will never accept the reality because of their delusional mindset and agendas.

 

[hks222]

Babar was in poor touch and had a similar average, still. Rizwan outclassed him like he has consistently done every season since moving to MS to open.

There is no more than enough evidence both at international and PSL level to suggest that Babar and Rizwan are better than Fakhar in T20s as top 3 batsmen, but some people will never accept the reality because of their delusional mindset and agendas.

I don't see a point of Salman in T20i.

 

[Greenstorm]

Babar was in poor touch and had a similar average, still. Rizwan outclassed him like he has consistently done every season since moving to MS to open.

There is no more than enough evidence both at international and PSL level to suggest that Babar and Rizwan are better than Fakhar in T20s as top 3 batsmen, but some people will never accept the reality because of their delusional mindset and agendas.

You are ignoring the fact that Fakhar was 2nd highest run scorer in PSL with significantly better strike rate.

And you said that 'Babar and Rizwan outperform him in PSL too'. Where is the outperformance ?

 

[Greenstorm]

I don't see a point of Salman in T20i.

Watch the last game to see a point.

 

[hks222]

Watch the last game to see a point.

Rizwan can play like this.

Even FZ can smack spinners at #4 or #5

 

[Greenstorm]

Rizwan can play like this.

Even FZ can smack spinners at #4 or #5

When did Rizwan smashed sixes against Rashid Khan ? Salman's competition is with Abdul Sammad in middle order. Rizwan is not even in discussion.

 

[ads101]

Think it’s time to call time his t20 career. Saim and Farhan are looking good as an opening partnership now. Fakhar has been awful at 3, and isn’t getting back in as an opener. I’d be open to him batting at 4 or 5 but realistically that isn’t going to happen with Salman and Hasan Nawaz there.

Can’t move back to Babar given his current form, so probably try some upcoming player.

 

[Greenstorm]

Think it’s time to call time his t20 career. Saim and Farhan are looking good as an opening partnership now. Fakhar has been awful at 3, and isn’t getting back in as an opener. I’d be open to him batting at 4 or 5 but realistically that isn’t going to happen with Salman and Hasan Nawaz there.

Can’t move back to Babar given his current form, so probably try some upcoming player.

He will perform at Dubai. Just wait and watch.

 

[Mamoon]

You are ignoring the fact that Fakhar was 2nd highest run scorer in PSL with significantly better strike rate.

And you said that 'Babar and Rizwan outperform him in PSL too'. Where is the outperformance ?

As a top 3 batsman in T20 internationals:

Fakhar:

Average: 22
SR: 126

Babar:

Average: 39
SR: 129

Rizwan:

Average: 51
SR: 127

Conclusion:

Both Babar and Rizwan are far better than Fakhar as top 3 batsmen in T20 internationals. The stats speak for themselves, and there is nothing to debate here. Anyone who denies these stats or makes excuses is living in denial.

Babar made his PSL debut in 2016 season. Fakhar made his PSL debut in 2017 season. Rizwan moved to Multan Sultans in the 2021 season and that is when he started to open.

PSL 2017: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2018: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2019/20: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2021: Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan
PSL 2022: Babar and Rizwan scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2023/2024: Babar and Rizwan scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2025: Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan

In 7 seasons, Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan only twice.

Conclusion: Babar and Rizwan are far better than Fakhar in PSL as well.

They outperform him both in international cricket and PSL. Why is it so difficult for people to accept the reality? It is as if, the reality doesn't make sense to them, they cannot understand why a so-called explosive and dynamic batsman like Fakhar cannot outperform so-called misfit T20 batsmen like Babar and Rizwan, so they choose to ignore the reality and live in denial.

 

[Greenstorm]

As a top 3 batsman in T20 internationals:

Fakhar:

Average: 22
SR: 126

Babar:

Average: 39
SR: 129

Rizwan:

Average: 51
SR: 127

Wrong stats for Rizwan. He avgs 45 with sr of 125 in T20Is.

Conclusion:

Both Babar and Rizwan are far better than Fakhar as top 3 batsmen in T20 internationals. The stats speak for themselves, and there is nothing to debate here. Anyone who denies these stats or makes excuses is living in denial.

Babar made his PSL debut in 2016 season. Fakhar made his PSL debut in 2017 season. Rizwan moved to Multan Sultans in the 2021 season and that is when he started to open.

PSL 2017: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2018: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2019/20: Babar scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2021: Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan
PSL 2022: Babar and Rizwan scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2023/2024: Babar and Rizwan scored more runs than Fakhar
PSL 2025: Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan

In 7 seasons, Fakhar scored more runs than Babar and Rizwan only twice.

Conclusion: Babar and Rizwan are far better than Fakhar in PSL as well.

They outperform him both in international cricket and PSL. Why is it so difficult for people to accept the reality? It is as if, the reality doesn't make sense to them, they cannot understand why a so-called explosive and dynamic batsman like Fakhar cannot outperform so-called misfit T20 batsmen like Babar and Rizwan, so they choose to ignore the reality and live in denial.

This is 2025 and Fakhar has outperformed RizBabar in PSL this year. Even in PSL overall, Fakhar has much better strike rate than those two which you are conveniently ignoring. Still, I won't use that argument as previous PSL performances are irrelevant when RizBabar have clearly regressed in the last year. The international stats you have provided are misleading as they don't depict current form.

2024 T20Is:
Fakhar: Avg 27 Sr 152
Babar: Avg 24 Sr 133
Rizwan: Avg 41 Sr 117

There is no data to prove that right now, RizBabar are better options in T20Is. I have no issues with replacing Fakhar with someone better if he can't perform in Asia cup but RizBabar are much inferior options in T20Is.

Also, there are agenda based posters here but you should be the last one accusing others of this. For years you bashed Babar only to play a contrarian now.

 

[Mamoon]

Wrong stats for Rizwan. He avgs 45 with sr of 125 in T20Is.

I clearly wrote that these are their respective stats as top 3 batsmen in T20Is. I didn’t say these were their overall stats.

Rizwan averages 51 @127 as a top 3 batsman in T20Is.

Try reading properly before typing.

This is 2025 and Fakhar has outperformed RizBabar in PSL this year. Even in PSL overall, Fakhar has much better strike rate than those two which you are conveniently ignoring. Still, I won't use that argument as previous PSL performances are irrelevant when RizBabar have clearly regressed in the last year. The international stats you have provided are misleading as they don't depict current form.

2024 T20Is:
Fakhar: Avg 27 Sr 152
Babar: Avg 24 Sr 133
Rizwan: Avg 41 Sr 117

There is no data to prove that right now, RizBabar are better options in T20Is. I have no issues with replacing Fakhar with someone better if he can't perform in Asia cup but RizBabar are much inferior options in T20Is.

Also, there are agenda based posters here but you should be the last one accusing others of this. For years you bashed Babar only to play a contrarian now.

This is 2025, and yes Babar and Rizwan are in poor form right now, but Fakhar continues to be a garbage top 3 batsman in T20Is just like he has been for almost all his career.

What is stopping Fakhar from performing for Pakistan right now even when he is supposedly in good form based on his PSL?

If you want to drop Babar and Rizwan from T20Is, go ahead but pick someone who is better than them not someone like Fakhar who is clearly worse than them.

 

[Greenstorm]

I clearly wrote that these are their respective stats as top 3 batsmen in T20Is. I didn’t say these were their overall stats.

Rizwan averages 51 @127 as a top 3 batsman in T20Is.

Try reading properly before typing.

My bad.

This is 2025, and yes Babar and Rizwan are in poor form right now, but Fakhar continues to be a garbage top 3 batsman in T20Is just like he has been for almost all his career.

What is stopping Fakhar from performing for Pakistan right now even when he is supposedly in good form based on his PSL?

Fakhar did well in 2024 T20Is and PSL 2025 so he is in team. Babar and Rizwan couldn't perfrom last year in T20Is and in this year's PSL so they are out.

If you want to drop Babar and Rizwan from T20Is, go ahead but pick someone who is better than them not someone like Fakhar who is clearly worse than them.

Fakhar will eventually be dropped if he doesn't perform in Asia Cup. But calling for RizBabar to replace him (which is your argument) is senseless and illogical.

 

[Mamoon]

My bad.

Fakhar did well in 2024 T20Is and PSL 2025 so he is in team. Babar and Rizwan couldn't perfrom last year in T20Is and in this year's PSL so they are out.

Fakhar will eventually be dropped if he doesn't perform in Asia Cup. But calling for RizBabar to replace him (which is your argument) is senseless and illogical.

Fakhar did well in 2024 at #4. He has always been a failure in the top 3 and always will be. PCB are flogging a dead course.

They took their best performing middle-order batsman and pushed him up the other just because he is successful in a different format.

This shows that there is no game awareness and no planning. Hesson, Agha and entire PCB have no clue about how poor Fakhar’s track record is as a top 3 batsman in T20 internationals.

What is senseless and illogical is replacing Babar and Rizwan as a top 3 batsman with Fakhar.

There is a higher chance of either of them recapturing their form than there is a chance of Fakhar doing well or better than them.

 

[Greenstorm]

Fakhar did well in 2024 at #4. He has always been a failure in the top 3 and always will be. PCB are flogging a dead course.

They took their best performing middle-order batsman and pushed him up the other just because he is successful in a different format.

This shows that there is no game awareness and no planning. Hesson, Agha and entire PCB have no clue about how poor Fakhar’s track record is as a top 3 batsman in T20 internationals.

What is senseless and illogical is replacing Babar and Rizwan as a top 3 batsman with Fakhar.

Babar and Rizwan used to open and they have been successfully replaced by Saim and Farhan. People were criticizing their selection as well until they shut them down. Now their target is Fakhar but they are delusional to think that Rizwan and Babar can accelerate at 3 when a superior aggressor is struggling there. A simple fix can be to swap his position with either Salman or Harris. Maybe they will even drop him after Asia Cup and bring in someone else if he doesn't perform.

There is a higher chance of either of them recapturing their form than there is a chance of Fakhar doing well or better than them.

Yes, let them regain their form then instead of prematurely clamouring for their return. Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Naeem performed better than those two in last PSL. Abdul Sammad recently scored a hundred and has a fifty in last T20I if I remember right.

As I said, it is illogical to call for the return of this out of form duo when there are several other players ahead of them in the pecking order. Message is clear for RizBabar, perform in domestic T20s, other leagues, PSL 2026 and stake your claim for national side. Social media campaigns will only take you so far.

 

[BouncerGuy]

And fakhar's mediocre run continues...Nobody is really criticising fakhar for his dry patch because we know that he is a match-winner on his day, but he really needs to step up now... He cannot be a dead weight now.

 

[mominsaigol]

And fakhar's mediocre run continues...Nobody is really criticising fakhar for his dry patch because we know that he is a match-winner on his day, but he really needs to step up now... He cannot be a dead weight now.

No one would critise babar and rizwan either if they were match winners.

Rizzu had one purple patch run in 2021 in t20 and odi in 2023 and people used that metric to call him a goat keeper when in reality as a batsmen he is basically = to Sarfi minus the purple patch where he was superior, but atleast sarfi made up for it with a decent captaincy record and willingness to bat at no 7.

Babar is a different story as he didn't have a purple patch, he was a very good batsmen from 2016-2021. He was better then Joe root as an odi batsmen at that time.

Fakhar never had a purple patch, he was inconsistent since day 1. Would go missing 90% of the time but the 10% is too hard to ignore.

Those 10% knocks are all ATG innings not just performances.

Half century vs England followed by 114 vs india in the final.
First and only Pakistani batter to hit 200 in odi
Highest ever run chase score by a Pakistani batsmen vs sa 193
91 of 46 vs Australia winning the tri series and reaching no 1 rank in t20
120 vs NZ followed by 180 vs NZ followed by 123 of 74 chasing 400 in a world cup vs NZ.

To top it off with the exception of one century which was 101 of 114 deliveries, all the rest of his 10 centuries have come at 100 to 140+ Strike rates and all his centuries except sa 193 have been in winning causes.

These records can't be ignored. Its not like umar akmal or kamran akmal who would perform once in a blue moon to score a measily 50.

 

[Farabi]

Babar and Rizwan used to open and they have been successfully replaced by Saim and Farhan. People were criticizing their selection as well until they shut them down. Now their target is Fakhar but they are delusional to think that Rizwan and Babar can accelerate at 3 when a superior aggressor is struggling there. A simple fix can be to swap his position with either Salman or Harris. Maybe they will even drop him after Asia Cup and bring in someone else if he doesn't perform.

Yes, let them regain their form then instead of prematurely clamouring for their return. Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Naeem performed better than those two in last PSL. Abdul Sammad recently scored a hundred and has a fifty in last T20I if I remember right.

As I said, it is illogical to call for the return of this out of form duo when there are several other players ahead of them in the pecking order. Message is clear for RizBabar, perform in domestic T20s, other leagues, PSL 2026 and stake your claim for national side. Social media campaigns will only take you so far.

Adding @Mamoon

Fakhar Zaman isn’t just good—he’s Pakistan’s most dangerous white-ball batter and the only one opposition bowlers genuinely fear.

I can’t believe I need to reiterate this: In T20s, averages are meaningless. A guy scoring 22 at 155 is far more valuable than one on 38 at 120, and over the last 2–3 years Fakhar has consistently outstruck RizBabar as an opener in PSL by 10+ points, even when pushed down to 4 in internationals.

I saw Mamoon pulling out numbers from 2019—why stop there, might as well go back to his U-19 days. What matters is recent form, not ancient history.

His “failures” are simply the cost of playing impact cricket. And when he fires, the contest is finished inside ten overs. If he’s fit, Fakhar is non-negotiable in the top 3. You don’t drop him—you build around him.

 

[Greenstorm]

Adding @Mamoon

Fakhar Zaman isn’t just good—he’s Pakistan’s most dangerous white-ball batter and the only one opposition bowlers genuinely fear.

I can’t believe I need to reiterate this: In T20s, averages are meaningless. A guy scoring 22 at 155 is far more valuable than one on 38 at 120, and over the last 2–3 years Fakhar has consistently outstruck RizBabar as an opener in PSL by 10+ points, even when pushed down to 4 in internationals.

I saw Mamoon pulling out numbers from 2019—why stop there, might as well go back to his U-19 days. What matters is recent form, not ancient history.

His “failures” are simply the cost of playing impact cricket. And when he fires, the contest is finished inside ten overs. If he’s fit, Fakhar is non-negotiable in the top 3. You don’t drop him—you build around him.

He will reply with Fakhar's strike rate which isn't great in T20Is tbh. Still, there is no justification of calling for the return of RizBabar as they are out of form and are even worse than Fakhar in terms of strike rates (recently).

Despite his failures, I don't mind Fakhar at 3 for now. On his day, he can dominate opposition's best bowler and win singlehandedly whereas on his off days, he gets out early (under 10-15 balls) thus not hampering the flow of innings. He fits in perfectly under this high intent approach of Hesson. Pakistan has won 8 out of 11 T20Is since he took over so things are working.

Many posters here can't look past their agendas.

 

[shariqnoor]

He will reply with Fakhar's strike rate which isn't great in T20Is tbh. Still, there is no justification of calling for the return of RizBabar as they are out of form and are even worse than Fakhar in terms of strike rates (recently).

Despite his failures, I don't mind Fakhar at 3 for now. On his day, he can dominate opposition's best bowler and win singlehandedly whereas on his off days, he gets out early (under 10-15 balls) thus not hampering the flow of innings. He fits in perfectly under this high intent approach of Hesson. Pakistan has won 8 out of 11 T20Is since he took over so things are working.

Many posters here can't look past their agendas.

This is the problem when you assess someone based on a different format.

"On his day". There have been only 2 "on his day" performances by Fakhar at number 3 in 30 innings. That was in the semi-final against Australia in the World Cup and against SA in Centurion. Both those innings came almost more than 4 years ago.

His career number 3 average is 22 at a SR of 116.

Nobody has ever questioned Fakhar's place as a modern ODI great in Pakistan cricket. He's probably the only match-winning batter in our ODI setup. However, when it comes to T20, Fakhar has hardly provided Pakistan with fast starts in T20 cricket or won matches while batting at positions 1-3 except for 1 or 2 innings.

Fakhar when he was made to play at number 4 wreaked havoc on the bowlers. These are some of his performances at number 4

26(8) against England
50(25) against NZ
33(16) against NZ
61(45) against NZ
78(40) against Ireland
45(21) against England

He has a career number 4 average of 25 at a SR of 156.

But some genius in the Pakistani setup thought that because Fakhar is performing so well at number 4, let's push him again to open when all the data suggests that he sucks at those positions in T20.

What people don't get it is that Babar/Rizwan/Saim/Farhan are not competitors of Fakhar. "I would take Fakhar as opener instead of Babar/Rizwan" is the wrong assessment. Fakhar needs to be talked about in competition with Agha Salman or Hasan Nawaz for the number 4 spot.

If Pakistan had stuck with Fakhar at 4 and then brought in Nawaz at 5, Pakistan would've had a much dominant middle order. With a left-right hand combination it would be perfect for them to tonk the spinners out of the ground in the middle overs.

Anyways, if it has been forever decided that Fakhar is to play at 3, I hope he regains his form in this tri-series because he is genuinely a match-winner by all means.

 

[Farabi]

This is the problem when you assess someone based on a different format.

"On his day". There have been only 2 "on his day" performances by Fakhar at number 3 in 30 innings. That was in the semi-final against Australia in the World Cup and against SA in Centurion. Both those innings came almost more than 4 years ago.

His career number 3 average is 22 at a SR of 116.

Nobody has ever questioned Fakhar's place as a modern ODI great in Pakistan cricket. He's probably the only match-winning batter in our ODI setup. However, when it comes to T20, Fakhar has hardly provided Pakistan with fast starts in T20 cricket or won matches while batting at positions 1-3 except for 1 or 2 innings.

Fakhar when he was made to play at number 4 wreaked havoc on the bowlers. These are some of his performances at number 4

26(8) against England
50(25) against NZ
33(16) against NZ
61(45) against NZ
78(40) against Ireland
45(21) against England

He has a career number 4 average of 25 at a SR of 156.

But some genius in the Pakistani setup thought that because Fakhar is performing so well at number 4, let's push him again to open when all the data suggests that he sucks at those positions in T20.

What people don't get it is that Babar/Rizwan/Saim/Farhan are not competitors of Fakhar. "I would take Fakhar as opener instead of Babar/Rizwan" is the wrong assessment. Fakhar needs to be talked about in competition with Agha Salman or Hasan Nawaz for the number 4 spot.

If Pakistan had stuck with Fakhar at 4 and then brought in Nawaz at 5, Pakistan would've had a much dominant middle order. With a left-right hand combination it would be perfect for them to tonk the spinners out of the ground in the middle overs.

Anyways, if it has been forever decided that Fakhar is to play at 3, I hope he regains his form in this tri-series because he is genuinely a match-winner by all means.

@Greenstorm
1. Fakhar’s recent performance for LQ in PSL as an opener is far better than RizBabar strike rate wise.
2. A lot of the international T20 numbers as an opener are dated. They are before 2020.

 

[shariqnoor]

@Greenstorm
1. Fakhar’s recent performance for LQ in PSL as an opener is far better than RizBabar strike rate wise.
2. A lot of the international T20 numbers as an opener are dated. They are before 2020.

What good is your domestic performance as an opener if you can't convert it in international cricket?

In PSL, Fakhar is mostly bashing rubbish Pakistani bowlers and fringe internationals. It's not a right comparison.

Maximize Fakhar's output and get him again at 4.

 

[RidiculousMan]

I think as a middle order batter at no. 4, 5 or 6. Fakhar has role clarity in the format. His average is similar but at least down the order he's aggressive and scores at a much higher rate.

 

[BlackstoneRock]

Fakhar at 4 is not going to work. He is at best 3 if not at 1/2. However his game needs serious improvement or he will be out of position soon

 

[Greenstorm]

This is the problem when you assess someone based on a different format.

"On his day". There have been only 2 "on his day" performances by Fakhar at number 3 in 30 innings. That was in the semi-final against Australia in the World Cup and against SA in Centurion. Both those innings came almost more than 4 years ago.

His career number 3 average is 22 at a SR of 116.

Nobody has ever questioned Fakhar's place as a modern ODI great in Pakistan cricket. He's probably the only match-winning batter in our ODI setup. However, when it comes to T20, Fakhar has hardly provided Pakistan with fast starts in T20 cricket or won matches while batting at positions 1-3 except for 1 or 2 innings.

Fakhar when he was made to play at number 4 wreaked havoc on the bowlers. These are some of his performances at number 4

26(8) against England
50(25) against NZ
33(16) against NZ
61(45) against NZ
78(40) against Ireland
45(21) against England

He has a career number 4 average of 25 at a SR of 156.

But some genius in the Pakistani setup thought that because Fakhar is performing so well at number 4, let's push him again to open when all the data suggests that he sucks at those positions in T20.

What people don't get it is that Babar/Rizwan/Saim/Farhan are not competitors of Fakhar. "I would take Fakhar as opener instead of Babar/Rizwan" is the wrong assessment. Fakhar needs to be talked about in competition with Agha Salman or Hasan Nawaz for the number 4 spot.

If Pakistan had stuck with Fakhar at 4 and then brought in Nawaz at 5, Pakistan would've had a much dominant middle order. With a left-right hand combination it would be perfect for them to tonk the spinners out of the ground in the middle overs.

Anyways, if it has been forever decided that Fakhar is to play at 3, I hope he regains his form in this tri-series because he is genuinely a match-winner by all means.

I don't mind Fakhar at 4 but I oppose this silly idea of Babar and Rizwan replacing him.

Do you agree with mamoon that Fakhar should be replaced with either Babar or Rizwan in T20Is ?

 

[Greenstorm]

@Greenstorm
1. Fakhar’s recent performance for LQ in PSL as an opener is far better than RizBabar strike rate wise.
2. A lot of the international T20 numbers as an opener are dated. They are before 2020.

Exactly. Fakhar had a stellar 2024 in T20Is and then did well in 2025 PSL (top3). His selection for T20I is justified whereas there is no reason to induct Babar and Rizwan considering their poor form.

Fakhar just needs to perform now.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Fakhar in T20s has been poor in recent times.. His performance is not upto the mark... He really needs to wake up now... Asia cup could be his last event if he fails... I don't see him playing T20 WC with such form.

 

[shariqnoor]

I don't mind Fakhar at 4 but I oppose this silly idea of Babar and Rizwan replacing him.

Do you agree with mamoon that Fakhar should be replaced with either Babar or Rizwan in T20Is ?

This is what I'm saying that if Babar or Rizwan comes back, they should not be replacing Fakhar. Fakhar should be a lock-in at 4. Babar or Rizwan should come in as opener or 3. So there is no competition between Babar and Fakhar.

I think what @Mamoon means and has suggested that if you have to make a comparison between Fakhar and Babar/Rizwan as opener, then Babar/Rizwan have given more performances than Fakhar as openers.

 

[Greenstorm]

This is what I'm saying that if Babar or Rizwan comes back, they should not be replacing Fakhar. Fakhar should be a lock-in at 4. Babar or Rizwan should come in as opener or 3. So there is no competition between Babar and Fakhar.

On what basis should Babar and Rizwan come back ? They haven't performed in T20Is or PSL since more than a year. This was my question to mamoon but he ran away. Lets see what you can come up with.

I think what @Mamoon means and has suggested that if you have to make a comparison between Fakhar and Babar/Rizwan as opener, then Babar/Rizwan have given more performances than Fakhar as openers.

That was many years ago. T20 batting has changed and RizBabar have actually regressed instead of adapting with time. Fakhar outperformed RizBabar as opener in recent PSL.

 

[Mamoon]

One of the worst T20 openers/#3 in the world.

Absolutely no way he merits a place over Babar. Keep playing him and he will keep letting you down, while his clown supports will keep making laughable excuses.

 

[Greenstorm]

25 (18) was a decent innings today and fits in well with what Hesson wants to achieve. 50 (42) wasn't winning us anything either.

 

[GreenKhan]

Fakhar is unnecessarily being ultra aggressive. That’s been his downfall last few innings . He just needs to think of the long game just like he does in one day internationals. Intent needs to managed with some common sense.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday added another feather to his cap as he featured in his 100th T20I during the fourth match of the T20I Tri-series against Afghanistan here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Most matches for Pakistan in T20Is:

Babar Azam – 128 matches
Shoaib Malik – 125 matches
Mohammad Hafeez – 119 matches
Shadab Khan – 112 matches
Mohammad Rizwan – 106 matches
Fakhar Zaman – 100 matches

 

[shamaan]

He is getting starts but needs to make a big score.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Fakhar's dot ball percentage is fairly high in 2025.

IN they ear 2025 - 42% boundary percentage 12%
In the year 2024 - 35% boundary percentage 21%
In the year 2023 - 38% boundary percentage 12%
In the year 2022 - 41% boundary percentage 12%
In the year 2021 - 38% boundary percentage 15%
In the year 2020 - 43% boundary percentage 7%


Overall dot ball percentage in his career 39% boundary percentage 17% Strike rate is only 131. So he is lacking in all areas.



I guess Fakhar's game is more suitable for ODIs where he can afford a few dot balls. These are poor numbers. Can't rotate strike. Can't hit enough boundaries.

2018 was hsi best year before 2024. Other than that his strike rates poor each year.

Record says he is 35. Probably an year or two older. Age related decline is inevitable. Pakistan should better invest in some youngster. No team cares about bilateral losses anyways.

 

[topspin]

On what basis should Babar and Rizwan come back ? They haven't performed in T20Is or PSL since more than a year. This was my question to mamoon but he ran away. Lets see what you can come up with.

That was many years ago. T20 batting has changed and RizBabar have actually regressed instead of adapting with time. Fakhar outperformed RizBabar as opener in recent PSL.

Bro you're talking to a Misbah fan, who once said "Imam is the most important player in the team". These guys have their thinly veiled pro-Misbah agenda.