By Rohit - February 26, 2025 05:14 PMIn the wake of Pakistan's early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former cricketer Danish Kaneria has proposed a significant leadership change: appointing Fakhar Zaman as the national team's captain. Kaneria commended Zaman's fearless approach and distinctive flair, suggesting that his leadership could rejuvenate Pakistan cricket.
Fakhar Zaman's commitment was evident during Pakistan's opening match against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. In an effort to prevent a boundary in the first over, Zaman sustained an abdominal injury. Despite his discomfort, he batted at the No. 4 position, contributing 24 runs to Pakistan's total of 260. His visible distress upon dismissal underscored his dedication and the realization that his injury would sideline him for the remainder of the tournament. Subsequently, Imam-ul-Haq was called up as his replacement.
Kaneria highlighted Zaman's absence in the crucial match against India, where Pakistan faced a six-wicket defeat. He emphasized that Zaman's fearless cricket and willingness to challenge norms are qualities that could benefit the team. Kaneria also criticized the current team dynamics, suggesting that favoritism and personal relationships influence selection decisions, potentially hindering the team's performance.
“He doesn’t get backing because it would close the shops of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. He is a hard-working and courageous as a player,” he added.
Reflecting on Pakistan's performance, captain Mohammad Rizwan attributed the loss to New Zealand to ineffective death bowling and Zaman's injury, which disrupted the team's batting order.
As Pakistan's cricketing authorities evaluate the team's future, Kaneria's recommendation to consider Fakhar Zaman for a leadership role adds a compelling perspective to the ongoing discussions about the direction of Pakistan cricket.
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