Fakhar Zaman must be dropped; Why Pakistan should replace him with Shadab Khan in T20Is

Why PAK must drop Fakhar Zaman for Shadab Khan [Source: AFP Photo]

Pakistan’s T20I squad had an interesting 2025 in terms of results. While the Men in Green suffered three back-to-back losses against India in the Asia Cups, they also managed to win two tri-series tournaments under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha. Towards the end of the year, Pakistan had a settled unit, but for that, they had to sacrifice Fakhar Zaman.

Primarily an opening batter, Fakhar was demoted in the middle-order to accommodate Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, and while the opening duo has been decent, they have the backing of the captain and the head coach. As a result, Fakhar was pushed down in the pecking order and in the recently concluded tri-series, he was batting at number 5.

Moreover, his recent record in the ILT20 is disappointing to say the least as the Pakistan star looks a pale shadow of his former self.

Fakhar Zaman in ILT20 2025 so far

• As the data suggest, Fakhar Zaman has been out of touch and runs have been difficult to come by from his willow. His highest score has been 35, but it came at a cost of wasting 31 deliveries.
• He has scored 74 runs in four innings, with a strike rate of just 115.6. He has struggled against both pace and spin, and at the twilight of his career, perhaps Pakistan side needs to make a harsh call.

Fakhar Zaman T20I stats in 2025

Not only in ILT20, but Fakhar has also struggled for the Pakistan side in T20Is. He has been ineffective with the bat, and so much so that Pakistan have shown no trust in him as an opener.

(Fakhar Zaman in T20Is this year)

• This year, Pakistan has played a plethora of T20I matches, and Fakhar has largely been unimpressive for the Men in Green. 512 runs in 22 matches with a strike rate of just 127 define his year with the bat.
• While last year his strike rate was 152, this year, the same number has dropped down to 127, showcasing his downfall in the format. Moreover, in T20Is, strike rate is the key, and Fakhar has failed in this major criteria.
• Currently, Fakhar is playing out of position in the T20I squad, and instead of playing a non-middle-order player, the Men in Green could replace him with a proper middle-order batter.

Who could replace Fakhar in PAK squad for T20 World Cup

In the current Pakistan setup, there is only one player that fits the bill perfectly to replace Fakhar and that cricketer is Shadab Khan. The all-rounder is out of the reckoning, but a recent report mentioned that Pakistan is considering bringing him back.

What Shadab brings to the table in T20Is

(Shadab Khan in T20Is)

• A strike rate of 140 in the middle-order and 112 wickets to go with it, Shadab will be an upgrade over Fakhar, who has lost his mojo in the last year. Pakistan needs a solid explosive batter at 5, and with a plethora of anchors ahead of him, Shadab could be the aggressive answer Pakistan requires.
• He is a gun finisher and has the knack of picking wickets at regular intervals, and with Pakistan playing their T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, a spin-friendly nation, his expertise could come in handy with the ball.

Final verdict

Fakhar Zaman has been an excellent servant of Pakistan cricket, but at the twilight of his career, Fakhar has very little to offer in the T20Is. His numbers have dropped since 2025, and perhaps time has come to replace him with Shadab Khan, who will be a better fit in the middle-order.

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