Fakhar Zaman’s Hamstring Tear Puts Asia Cup Participation in Doubt - Who Should Bat at No. 3?
The Asia Cup kicks off on September 9th in the UAE, but Pakistan might be facing a selection headache even before the tournament starts. Fakhar Zaman is dealing with a hamstring tear, and reports suggest his participation is looking increasingly unlikely.
Before the Asia Cup, Pakistan will also play a T20I tri-series in the UAE against the hosts and Afghanistan. This series could be the perfect opportunity to test a new batting combination at No. 3 in Fakhar’s absence.
The two main contenders? Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam.
Here’s how their numbers stack up since 2024:
Overall T20 stats (2024 onwards)
- Abdullah Shafique: Average: 37.0, Strike Rate: 144.8
- Babar Azam: Average: 40.6, Strike Rate: 132.0
At No. 3 specifically (2024 onwards), both have played 17 innings in this position:
- Abdullah Shafique: Average: 38.0, Strike Rate: 145.0
- Babar Azam: Average: 43.0, Strike Rate: 135.0
Against spin since 2024:
- Abdullah Shafique: 254 runs off 182 balls, 7 dismissals, Average: 36.3, Strike Rate: 139.6
- Babar Azam: 718 runs off 556 balls, 18 dismissals, Average: 39.9, Strike Rate: 129.1
The contrast is interesting, Abdullah has a higher strike rate both overall and against spin, while Babar has the edge in average and stability. The choice could depend on whether the team management wants aggression or consistency in that role.
With the tri-series providing a low-stakes testing ground, the decision could be made before the Asia Cup even begins.
If Fakhar is unavailable, who should bat at No. 3, Abdullah Shafique or Babar Azam? And why?