In a recent discussion on a local sports show, former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan advocated for Fakhar Zaman to be named the captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team. Khan praised Zaman’s performances, particularly highlighting his contributions in the last two World Cups. He pointed out that Zaman, who had a tough start in the 2023 World Cup in India, turned his form around in the latter half, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s successes, though it was not enough to advance further in the tournament.
Younis emphasized Zaman’s dedication and adaptability, noting how he sacrificed his preferred opening position to bat in the middle order when the team needed it. He questioned why such a selfless and consistent performer shouldn’t be considered for captaincy.
Zaman’s notable achievements include being a key player in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy victory under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership, where he scored a century in the final against India. Despite these credentials, Zaman has not been considered for the captaincy role.
Currently, Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captaincy has been a subject of much debate. Babar Azam, who was appointed captain in 2019, stepped down after the 2023 World Cup. Shaheen Shah Afridi briefly took over before Babar was reinstated just before the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the tournament, including unexpected losses to the USA and India, has put Babar’s leadership under scrutiny once again. Despite wins against Canada and Ireland, these victories were insufficient to keep Pakistan in contention in the tournament.
Younis Khan’s suggestion to appoint Fakhar Zaman as captain stems from his belief in Zaman’s ability to inspire and lead the team through his performances and dedication. This recommendation comes at a time when the team is seeking stability and a turnaround in fortunes following a string of poor results.
