Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has stirred debate by suggesting that opening batter Sahibzada Farhan should be dropped from Pakistan’s playing XI for the all-important Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Sri Lanka.
Despite being Pakistan’s leading run-getter in the tournament so far — scoring 132 runs across four matches — Farhan’s strike rate of just over 101 has come under scrutiny. In modern-day white-ball cricket, particularly in high-pressure tournaments like the Asia Cup, a sluggish scoring rate can often undo the value of consistency.
Latif took to Facebook to outline his alternative batting order, which leans toward aggression at the top. He proposed Mohammad Haris and young gun Hassan Nawaz as the opening pair, pushing Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub down to No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. His suggested reshuffle also brought Shan Masood into the middle order, with Mohammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam sliding to lower positions to provide finishing power.
“Farhan has done well in terms of runs, but the tempo is missing. Pakistan needs explosive starts in games like these,” Latif wrote, emphasizing that strike rate should outweigh aggregate runs when setting the team combination.
The former wicketkeeper-batter also suggested utilizing Shadab Khan higher in the order, possibly to add quick runs in the middle overs, while retaining Imad Wasim and Abrar Ahmed for depth.
Pakistan’s batting approach has been a point of discussion throughout the Asia Cup. While they’ve managed to stay competitive, critics argue the side hasn’t adapted fully to the fast-paced demands of modern T20 cricket. Latif’s comments highlight a growing sentiment among former players and fans: runs alone aren’t enough if they come at the cost of momentum.
As Pakistan prepares to face Sri Lanka in what could be a do-or-die contest, team management faces a tough call. Stick with the stability of Farhan, or gamble on the explosiveness of Haris and Nawaz? Either way, the decision could play a decisive role in Pakistan’s journey to the Asia Cup final.
