Tag: Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan white-ball captain Babar Azam and top-order batter Fakhar Zaman were recently seen struggling against young pace bowler Ubaid Shah during a practice session.

Ubaid, who is the younger brother of star pace bowler Naseem Shah, has represented the Pakistan Under-19 team as well as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United. Hunain Shah, their third brother, is also part of the United franchise.

In a viral video, Ubaid is seen bowling to Babar and Fakhar in the nets, making them struggle to play with his pace and swing.

The young pacer bowls an outside off-stump delivery to Babar Azam, which the batter leaves, but the ball comes back sharply and goes over the stumps.

The star batter then attempts to play the hook shot against a short-pitched ball, but the ball hits him on the chest.

 

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman attempts a defensive shot but misses the ball, which narrowly misses the bat and goes into the wicketkeeper’s safe hands.

For the unversed, Ubaid Shah was the second highest-wicket taker in the Under-19 World 2024 in South Africa with 18 wickets. He was also named in the team of the tournament.

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Babar Azam is currently gearing up for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to be played in August.

Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, is not part of Pakistan’s red-ball team and will be in action during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, starting from August 29.

READ: Ben Stokes backs Chris Woakes to help fill James Anderson’s void

Following Pakistan’s debacle T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has suggested Fakhar Zaman as a new candidate to fill in the shoes of Babar Azam.

Pakistan, in a first, were knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage after a crucial Group A fixture between the co-host United States of America (USA) and Ireland was abandoned here without a ball bowled.

The Green Shirts had a disastrous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they suffered a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over.

Pakistan then succumbed to a frustrating six-run defeat against arch-rivals India at a jam-packed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 9.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament.

The former champions then finally got on the winning track when they registered a hard-fought seven-wicket victory over Canada.

Pakistan then edged past Ireland in another stiff challenge to bow out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a win.

The 2009 champions finished third in Group A standings with four points in four matches.

Questions have been asked about continuing with Babar Azam as the T201 captain after Pakistan’s embarrassing ouster.

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Speaking on national television, Younis Khan wondered why attacking stroke-maker Fakhar Zaman couldn’t be the next T201 captain in place of Babar Azam while praising the former for turning around Pakistan’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign.

“Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the side isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do well in the last 50-over World Cup? Who is that one player who gave us hope? Zaman started the 2023 World Cup in India poorly however, in the second half turned his form around which coincided with Pakistan’s success”, he said.

The T20 World Cup winning caption further said: “His [Fakhar] blistering starts at the top kept Pakistan in contention however, it was too little too late for them to go further in the tournament.”

He added: “Who is that one player in the side who is leaving his opening slot and batting down at four or five or six? Who is sacrificing his place? Fakhar Zaman! Why won’t you make him the captain?”

Fakhar has never captained Pakistan in his seven-year international career. He endured a dismal 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, scoring only 33 runs at an average of 8.25 and a strike rate of 110 in four games.

READ: New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson sets multiple T20I records

BIRMINGHAM: Left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman gave a major update regarding the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Fakhar addressed the press conference here on Friday, in a build-up to the upcoming second T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England.

The left-handed batter was asked to share an update regarding the announcement of the Pakistan squad as the deadline to announce the lineup for the mega event nears.

“Look, this is the job of the cricket board but I know that I am in the team,” shared Fakhar.

“Actually, everyone knows who is going and who is not going [to the World Cup] but I think they are checking a few injuries. But I know myself that I am in,” he added.

Fakhar also opened up on his batting spot in the ongoing series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I have been playing at number four like since two years so now I am very used to it and I really enjoy my batting at number four, especially in T20Is and yes I will play at number four in the World Cup as well,” said Fakhar.

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The left-handed batter welcomed Archer’s return to the international circuit but shared that he is more excited to compete against a full-strength side to prepare for the World Cup.

“We played many times against Jofra. He’s a very good bowler. We are more excited that we are playing a full-strength team of England,” stated Fakhar.

“So, that’s a very good thing for us. Like, if a player like Jofra is in a team, of course, it will help England but it will [also] help us to play against a world-class bowler,” he added.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for second England T20I

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman expressed his excitement to compete against a full-strength England team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Fakhar addressed the press conference here ahead of Pakistan’s second T20I of the four-match series against England and was asked to share his views on the returning pacer Jofra Archer.

In response, the left-handed batter welcomed Archer’s return to the international circuit but shared that he is more excited to compete against a full-strength side to prepare for the World Cup.

“We played many times against Jofra. He’s a very good bowler. We are more excited that we are playing a full-strength team of England,” stated Fakhar.

“So, that’s a very good thing for us. Like, if a player like Jofra is in a team, of course, it will help England but it will [also] help us to play against a world-class bowler,” he added.

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For the unversed, the series opener between Pakistan and England was washed out due to persistent rain in Leeds, denying the previous edition’s finalists a chance to finalise their team combinations ahead of the mega event.

However, Fakhar Zaman managed to find a positive note from the abandoned game, stating that the series will now have a result.

“Playing against England, one of the best teams in the world, so, this series is very important. Of course, the first game washed out but in four games you think it could be 2-2 but now we will have a result so that’s good,” stated Fakhar.

Fakhar also opened up on his batting spot in the ongoing series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I have been playing at number four like since two years so now I am very used to it and I really enjoy my batting at number four, especially in T20Is and yes I will play at number four in the World Cup as well,” said Fakhar.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for second England T20I

DUBLIN: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman asserted that the national team needed a wake-up call ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June.

Fakhar, in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Digital, asserted that the shock loss in the first T20I against Ireland fuelled every player with determination to give their best in the next fixture.

He further acknowledged the need to carry the same momentum heading into the T20 World Cup.

“We needed a wake-up call considering the way we lost the first game. So it was in the back of our minds while we were playing the second game and that is why everyone was giving their best,” Fakhar said.

“We hope to carry the same momentum till the World Cup,” he added.

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Set to chase 194 in the second T20I, Pakistan had a shaky start as they lost young opener Saim Ayub (6) and skipper Babar Azam (0) with just 13 runs on the board inside the first two overs.

Following the slump, Fakhar Zaman joined Mohammad Rizwan at the crease and the duo turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour with a marathon 140-run partnership.

Fakhar remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a blistering 78 off 40 balls, featuring six fours and six sixes while Mohammad Rizwan made an unbeaten 75 off off 46 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes, which earned him the Player of the Match award.

“Our plan was to counter attack despite losing two wickets early. There is pressure when you lose early wickets, but since we have planned to play attacking cricket, it releases all pressure,” Fakhar told PCB Digital.

“Our plan was to chase the score before the 18th over,” he concluded.

READ: Hayley Matthews crowned ICC Women’s Player of the Month for April 2024

Pakistan’s top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has appreciated young wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan for his courage and hard work during the recently concluded physical fitness camp in Kakul.

Twenty-nine cricketers attended the pre-season camp at the historic and iconic Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul from March 26 to April 6, with the training and drills designed by Pakistan Army experts and strategists.

During the camp, there was a focus on team building aimed to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, ensuring they were in the best condition to face the challenges ahead.

Under the guidance of experienced trainers and coaches, the players underwent a comprehensive training regime tailored to elevate their fitness levels, agility, leadership, strategic thinking and overall performance on the field.

Azam Khan’s consistent hard work during the fitness camp brought him to the forefront, despite being criticized for his fitness issues in the past.

Fakhar Zaman praised the explosive wicketkeeper highly in an interview on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) official YouTube channel.

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“What impressed me the most is what Azam Khan has done. We were not expecting him to undergo such tough training, and naturally, his physique is such that we didn’t anticipate him to take up such challenges,” Zaman said.

“Despite that, the way he has pushed himself, even climbing mountains when we were hiking, I mean, we couldn’t believe he would make it to the top. If we all show such courage, it could be very beneficial.”

Zaman also reflected on the experience of undergoing a rigorous fitness regime at Kakul during the holy month of Ramadan while fasting.

“It was quite tough when I was here back in 2018, but this time, it wasn’t so tough, due to the holy month of Ramadan,” Zaman said.

“The training they conduct here is tough, but since it was Ramadan, they took great care and lightened the workload a bit.

“When your fitness is good, you also get good results, and our aim here was to build team bonding, which worked well. The training sessions, both on and off, have been excellent, and of course, there will be benefits from that,” he added.

Notably, both Fakhar Zaman and Azam Khan are part of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, starting from 18 April.

READ: PCB provides an update on Ihsanullah’s elbow injury

KARACHI: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury to his hand during Lahore Qalandars’ away Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 clash against arch-rivals Karachi Kings here at National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The hard-hitting batter sustained the injury in the penultimate over of the tense run chase when he made a valiant effort and dived forward in the deep to take a potential catch of the Kings’ all-rounder Anwar Ali.

Zaman, however, failed to get his beneath the ball and it bounced off the surface before settling his hand.

He was then seen favouring his hand while Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was having a long discussion with the on-field umpire regarding the TV Umpire’s decision.

As a result, Fakhar Zaman was not available for Lahore Qalandars’ last PSL 9 fixture as they take on former champions Quetta Gladiators on Sunday.

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In-form opener Sahibzada Farhan replaced him in the Qalandars’ Playing XI.

Speaking at the toss, Shaheen Afridi reflected upon his team’s dismal PSL 9 campaign and confirmed the absence of Fakhar Zaman.

“Result wise it’s very tough, as a team we fought in every game, 6-7 games were really close. Two changes, unfortunately, Fakhar got a fracture on his finger,” Shaheen Afridi said at the toss.

It is worth mentioning here that the two-time champions and holders Lahore Qalandars are already out of the playoffs race while Quetta Gladiators need one victory out of their remaining two fixtures to seal their spot in the final four.

The Gladiators are fourth in the standings with nine points in eight matches while the Qalandars are at the bottom with three points in nine matches.

READ: Zahid Mahmood eyes victory over Peshawar Zalmi

LAHORE: Top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has shown his support for the star middle-order Babar Azam during his struggling batting form during the ongoing Test series against Australia.

Ace Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been out of form, especially in Test cricket throughout the year 2023.

The right-handed batter played five matches in 2023 and could only yield 204 runs at a dismal average of 22.66 with the highest score of 41.

He also could not score a single half-century in the longest format in 2023.

However, Fakhar Zaman has backed Babar Azam to make a comeback in the last Test against Australia, scheduled to start on 3rd January 2024.

“Babar Azam is a world-class player, but good and bad times come to every player. I am hopeful that he will make a comeback in the next match,” said Zaman.

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Fakhar Zaman further expressed his desire to play at any number and in any format for the team.

“I am training for the upcoming series, and I am ready to play at any position as per the plan of the team management,” he added.

“Test cricket is the real cricket and I am ready to play in any format for the Pakistan team as I can play at the highest level for the next eight to ten years.”

Fakhar Zaman also backed newly appointed T20I captain Shaheen Afridi under whom he has played for Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“There is a difference between captaincy in PSL and international cricket, however, Shaheen Afridi has the ability to lead the team,” Zaman concluded.

Fakhar Zaman is currently partaking in Pakistan’s training camp for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand commencing on 12 January 2024.

READ: Steve Waugh criticizes ICC over South Africa naming seven uncapped players in Test squad

KARACHI: Shahab Khan picked up a five-wicket haul, followed by Fakhar Zaman’s quick-fire 79 to help Abbottabad thump Peshawar by seven wickets in the first semi-final and secure a berth in the final of the National T20 Cup.

Peshawar’s 10-match winning streak finally came to an end as they faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Yasir Shah-led Abbottabad with 13 balls to spare.

Abbottabad’s chase was built around immaculate striking by openers Fakhar Zaman and Sajjad Ali Jnr, both of whom hit a combined 12 sixes.

The first-wicket stand yielded 113 runs in quick time, putting the pressure on the Peshawar bowlers.

Sajjad smashed his third fifty on the trot, taking a special liking to Peshawar captain Iftikhar Ahmed’s bowling as he deposited him for four maximums in one over.

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Mohammad Imran ended his stay at the crease after he accumulated 57 in 29 balls with seven sixes and a solitary four.

The next batter in, Kamran Ghulam, was dismissed cheaply for four but Fakhar continued to unleash lusty blows to motor the chase.

The star batter finished with an unbeaten 79 off 46 deliveries, studded with five maximums and eight boundaries.

Abbottabad’s winning runs also came off a six that Afaq Ahmed struck Abbas Ali over long-off, emblematic of the team’s dominance today.

Imran was the only Peshawar bowler who threatened the opposition as he gave away 18 runs in his four overs including one wicket.

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Earlier in the day, Abbottabad’s decision to bowl first reaped rewards as the leading run-getter of the tournament Sahibzada Farhan (15, 10b, 3x4s) was removed early by Aqib Khan.

Left-arm pacer Shahab Khan then got the big wickets of Mohammad Haris (16, 21b, 1×4, 1×6) and Iftikhar Ahmed (0, 2b) in his first over to leave Peshawar four down for 75.

Israrullah then launched a brilliant counterattack, smoking 10 fours and three sixes in his 34-ball 73 at a strike rate of over 210.

However, Israrullah found little support at the other end as no other batter crossed the 20-run mark.

Shahab ran through the Peshawar line-up, bagging five scalps – his second five-fer of the competition. He was duly named player of the match.

READ: Pakistan draw with Belgium to qualify for Junior World Cup quarter-final

BANGALORE: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman on Saturday, bagged multiple records with his quickfire century against New Zealand in the 35th match of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Fakhar, who played a match-winning 81-run knock against Bangladesh, backed it up with a sensational century in a daunting 402-run pursuit against New Zealand.

Despite losing his opening partner Abdullah Shafique early, the left-handed opener kept Pakistan in the hunt with clean hitting.

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Fakhar Zaman pelted the Blackaps’ bowlers and brought up his 11th ODI century in just 63 deliveries.

His belligerent knock had powered Pakistan to 160/1 in 21.3 overs, 10 ahead of the par score as per the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method, before the rain intervened.

At the stoppage, Fakhar Zaman was unbeaten on 106 in 69 deliveries, laced up with seven boundaries and nine sixes.

Notably, his 63-ball hundred is the fastest ton by a Pakistan batter in a World Cup game.

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The record of the fastest World Cup century, however, belongs to Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, who conceded just 40 deliveries to reach the milestone against the Netherlands in the ongoing mega event.

Fakhar’s 63-ball hundred ranks joint-ninth on the list of fastest World Cup centuries with India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who scored a 63-ball century against Afghanistan, which also came in the ongoing edition of the World Cup.

Moreover, Fakhar Zaman has thus far hit nine sixes amid his ongoing entertaining knock to go past Imran Nazir’s record of most sixes hit by a Pakistan batter in a World Cup innings.

The right-handed opener smashed eight sixes against Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

He came close to break Imran Nazir’s long-standing record in his last outing for Pakistan when he smashed seven sixes against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

READ: Hardik Pandya ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023