As Pakistan prepares for their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against England at the Pallekele International Stadium, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has recommended that Pakistan consider adding experienced batter Fakhar Zaman to their playing XI for the tournament. Fakhar has not played a single match in the ongoing series, with his last appearance being in the home series against Australia, where he managed to score only 20 runs in two matches.
Ashwin highlighted Fakhar’s proficiency in sweeping against spinners, suggesting that his skills could be beneficial for Pakistan in facing England. He emphasized the importance of including Fakhar in the middle order if Pakistan is serious about their World Cup campaign, as Fakhar’s ability to sweep and handle spinners like Rashid and Dawson could prove crucial in the middle overs.
Furthermore, Ashwin advised Pakistan to emulate Nepal’s approach against Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, which proved successful for Nepal against the two-time champions. Nepal notably scored 42 runs in just three overs against England’s Rashid during the group stage, showcasing an effective strategy that other teams could consider adopting.
Fakhar Zaman boasts a T20I career comprising 118 matches, where he has accumulated 2385 runs at an average of 23.38, including 13 half-centuries in the shortest format. With their initial match against New Zealand abandoned due to weather conditions, Pakistan faces a crucial encounter against England, which is pivotal for their chances of advancing to the Super 8 stage independently. A loss in this match would complicate Pakistan’s path to the next round, necessitating favorable results from other teams for their progression.
