Tag: Fakhar Zaman

BENGALURU: Pakistan’s left-handed opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Australia on October 20 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Fakhar Zaman is suffering from a knee injury and the team doctor advised him to rest for one week.

Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha, who was suffering from a fever is making a good recovery.

Other team members are fit and available for selection for tomorrow’s anticipated match against Australia.

Pakistan are currently sitting fourth in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings with four points in three matches while Australia are in seventh position after winning their solitary game against Sri Lanka on Monday.

The green shirts will be eyeing to bounce back from their seven-wicket thrashing against India on Saturday.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Rohit Sharma’s quickfire 86 after a combined effort from the bowlers led India to a dominant victory against Pakistan.

Chasing a modest total of 192, India comfortably steered to glory for the loss of just three wickets and 117 balls to spare.

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Put into bat first, Pakistan could post 191 runs on the board despite their captain Babar Azam’s half-century.

The former champions, at one stage, were looking in a strong position to amass the 300-run mark but a middle-order collapse, resulted in them bowling out at a meagre total.

Babar Azam remained the top-scorer for his side with 50 in 58 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries.

Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan was the other notable run-getter for Pakistan with a 69-ball 49, hitting seven boundaries.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures

• October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
• October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
• October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
• November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: Injured Travis Head shares World Cup return plans

Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman picked Mohammad Amir as the toughest bowler he has ever faced.

Fakhar Zaman, during an interview on a YouTube channel, responded to a question regarding the toughest bowler he has faced in his career thus faced.

The interview continued his query and named a few international bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult and Jofra Archer.

Fakhar, however, was quick to intervene and told the interviewer that he has missed a bowler before revealing Mohammad Amir as the toughest he faced.

“I think Mohammad Amir [whom I think is the toughest]. He does not trouble you with pace but he just does not give you room,” said Fakhar.

Fakhar Zaman, who enjoyed a successful run in Pakistan’s home ODI series against New Zealand, is the only batter to feature thrice in the list of highest individual scores by a Pakistan batter in ODIs.

The left-handed opener, however, expressed that he feels his record would soon be broken keeping the young talent emerging.

“I am thankful to Almighty Allah that I feature thrice in the top four of the highest individual scores for Pakistan,” said Fakhar Zaman.

“But I think, the players that are coming [to the international level] can break this record soon by the will of Almighty Allah and I will be very happy because they will do it for Pakistan,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that Fakhar Zaman is the only Pakistan batter to score a double century in ODIs. The left-handed opener achieved the feat in 2018 against Zimbabwe and broke the long-standing record of legend Saeed Anwar.

Fakhar then played a fighting 193-run knock against South Africa in 2021 but his gutsy effort went in vain as the hosts edged Pakistan by 17 runs.

READ: Kane Williamson reaches summit in ICC Test Batting Ranking

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman shared a hilarious response after he was named the ICC Player of the Month for April 2023 on Tuesday.

The left-hander won the ICC Player of the Month award for his outstanding performances in Pakistan’s recent home series against New Zealand.

Fakhar overcame the tough competition from emerging New Zealand batter Mark Chapman and Sri Lanka spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya to clinch the award.

The 33-year-old, however, was in a state of disbelief after winning the award since it was a neck-and-neck race between him and Kiwi batter Chapman, who remained the leading run-getter in the T20I series during New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan.

“Jis tareeqay se Chapman bhai ne hame T20I me koota tha, mujhe to laga usko hi mile ga,” Fakhar wrote on Twitter

(The way Chapman thrashed us in the T20I series, I thought he would win this award)

“But grateful to all the voters and fans for rooting out for me,” he added.

Jis tareeqay se Chapman bhai ne hame T20I me koota tha, mujhe to laga usko hi mile ga. But grateful to all the voters and fans for rooting out for me. 🙌 #Honoured pic.twitter.com/CdZNg9tqnG

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) May 9, 2023

New Zealand’s Chapman scored 290 runs in five T20I games in Pakistan, including two fifties and a match-winning century.

He scored an unbeaten 104 off 57 deliveries, laced up with 11 boundaries and four sixes to power the Blackcaps to a series-levelling victory in the final T20I.

Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, scored back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs between Pakistan and New Zealand and made his claim to the Player of the Series award and a host of individual records.

He became the fastest batter not just from the country but from Asia to complete 3000 ODI runs and just the fourth Pakistan batter after Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas and Babar(twice) to hit three centuries in three straight games.

Fakhar Zaman played a marathon knock of 180 not out – the highest by any Pakistan batter in a successful run chase – in the second ODI in Rawalpindi to help the Green Shirts chase down their second-highest total in ODIs.

He displayed similar exploits in the first match at the same venue where he scored 117 to lead the way for Pakistan in their 289-run chase.

Following his run-scoring spree, Fakhar also moved to the no.2 spot behind skipper Babar Azam on the ICC ODI Men’s Players’ Rankings.

The left-hander started the month with a rapid 47 in the first T20I in Lahore against New Zealand, playing a part in the home side’s thumping 88-run victory.

READ: Fakhar Zaman named ICC Player of the Month for April 2023

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday won the ICC Player of the Month award for April 2023 after his outstanding performances in the recently-held home series against New Zealand.

The left-handed batter overcame tough competition from Sri Lanka spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya, and emerging New Zealand batter Mark Chapman to clinch the award.

The 33-year-old scored back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs between Pakistan and New Zealand and made his claim to a host of individual records during the series.

He became the fastest batter not just from the country but from Asia to complete 3000 ODI runs and just the fourth Pakistan batter after Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas and Babar(twice) to hit three centuries in three straight games.

Fakhar Zaman played a marathon knock of 180 not out – the highest by any Pakistan batter in a successful run chase – in the second ODI in Rawalpindi to help the Green Shirts chase down their second-highest total in ODIs.

He displayed similar exploits in the first match at the same venue where he scored 117 to lead the way for Pakistan in their 289-run chase.

Following his run-scoring spree, Fakhar also moved to the no.2 spot behind skipper Babar Azam on the ICC ODI Men’s Players’ Rankings.

The left-hander started the month with a rapid 47 in the first T20I in Lahore against New Zealand, playing a part in the home side’s thumping 88-run victory.

“It is truly an honour for me to be named ICC Player of the Month for April,” said Fakhar as quoted by the ICC.

“This month has been one of the highlights of my career and it was an amazing feeling to play in front of my own people in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi.

“I really enjoyed scoring back-to-back centuries in Rawalpindi, but my favourite was the 180 not out in the second match.

“I hope to continue the momentum leading into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and make Pakistan cricket fans happy and proud with my performances.”

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KARACHI: In-form Fakhar Zaman has a chance to bag a remarkable feat in One-Day internationals if he scores another hundred in the third game of the PAK vs NZ ODI series on Wednesday.

Fakhar smashed his third straight ton in the second ODI of the five-game series between Pakistan and New Zealand on Saturday and became the only fourth Pakistani batter to do so.

The next match between the two sides at the National Bank Cricket Arena gives the left-hander a golden opportunity to better his own record and become only the second batter after Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to score four consecutive ODI centuries.

However, he will be the only batter to score four centuries in a row against the same opposition if he reaches a three-digit mark yet again on Wednesday.

Sangakkara’s claim to this unique yet fabulous ODI record came at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Since Sangakkara had made straight hundreds against four different teams –  Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland – it gives Fakhar Zaman a chance to achieve the same feat but against the same side i.e. New Zealand.

It must be noted here that Fakhar Zaman made his claim to a host of individual records during his match-winning knock that sailed Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory against the Black Caps in the second ODI.

He became the fastest batter not just from the country but from Asia to complete 3000 ODI runs and just the fourth Pakistan batter after Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas and Babar(twice) to hit three centuries in three straight games.

Besides, his blitzkrieg 180* is the highest score by any Pakistan batter in a successful ODI run chase.

The 33-year-old’s sensational run in the 50-Over format began earlier this year when he smashed 101 against the Kiwis in Karachi in January.

He then picked up from where he left off in the previous series as he scored 117 and 180* in the first two ODIs, respectively, in Rawalpindi to help Pakistan take a 2-0 lead in the ongoing series.

The two sides will now take on each other in the third fixture at the National Bank Cricket Arena as the action shifts to Karachi, which will host the remaining three ODIs on May 3, 5 and 7.

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RAWALPINDI: Fakhar Zaman played a marathon knock of unbeaten 180 to steer Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory in the second game PAK vs NZ ODI series and claimed multiple records in the process. 

The left-hander smashed 17 boundaries and six maximums during his record-breaking knock as Men in Green successfully chased the massive 337-run target – the second highest-run chase by Pakistan in ODIs – with 10 balls to spare.

The 33-year-old registered a host of individual records in the match as he became the fastest batter not just from the country but from Asia to complete 3000 ODI runs and just the fourth Pakistani to hit three consecutive centuries in the format.

Fakhar took only 67 innings to pile up 3000 runs as he surpassed his team skipper Babar Azam, who took 68 innings to reach the landmark.

🚨 RECORD ALERT 🚨@FakharZamanLive completes 3️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in ODIs 🌟#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/jLHA3F0Mkf

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 29, 2023

He also joined the rare list of only four Pakistan cricketers who scored three straight centuries – the feat earlier achieved by Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas and Babar(twice).

Fakhar’s back-to-back centuries at Pindi Cricket Stadium, took Pakistan to a 2-0 lead in the series as he outshone New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell for the second time in a row.

Besides, Fakhar’s blitzkrieg knock is the highest score by any Pakistan batter in a successful ODI run chase.

Batting first, New Zealand put up a decent total on the board on the back of a brilliant century by Daryl Mitchell and a vital 98-run knock by skipper Tom Latham.

Mitchell smashed eight boundaries and three sixes on his way to top score for New Zealand with a 119-ball 129.

The target set by New Zealand eventually proved insufficient for their bowlers to defend at the back of resounding knocks by their openers Fakhar Zaman and skipper Babar.

Fakhar Zaman continued his magnificent form to score his second-consecutive century and top-scored for Pakistan in the run chase.

Babar, however, looked confident to replicate Fakhar but fell short as he fell victim to Ish Sodhi after scoring an important 65 in 66 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six.

The two sides will now take on each other in the third fixture of the five-match ODI series at the National Bank Cricket Arena as the action shifts to Karachi, which will host the remaining three ODIs on May 3, 5 and 7.

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LAHORE: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman has joined the national team’s training camp for the upcoming home white-ball series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on April 14.

Fakhar Zaman, who turned 33 today, reported at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here and joined Pakistan’s white-ball squads, which are undergoing training camp for the five-match each T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared the aforementioned news.

Click to Watch PAK vs NZ Live Match in HD Streaming Only at ARY ZAP.

“Birthday boy [Fakhar Zaman] joins the camp,” wrote PCB.

Birthday boy @FakharZamanLive joins the camp 👏#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/nVi8NmgDJn

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 10, 2023

 

The left-handed opener was also named in Babar Azam-led Badshahs’ lineup for the intra-squad practice match against Shadab Khan’s Stallions.

Pakistan’s white-ball squads’ training has been in full swing since Friday after they reported at the NCA with senior players including the trio of Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the national setup.

It is pertinent to mention that the green shirts will take on New Zealand in a five-match each T20I and ODI series, which will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi from 14 April to 7 May.

READ: PAK vs NZ: PCB reveals lineups for intra-squad practice match 

MULTAN: Lahore Qalandars’ left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman on Monday became only the second batter in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) history to complete 2,000 runs after Babar Azam.

Fakhar achieved the milestone in the curtain-raiser of the recently-commenced PSL 8 with his magnificent half-century.

The left-handed batter scored 66 off 42 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and five sixes.

His 66-run knock not only took him past the 2000-run barrier but also surpassed Kamran Akmal to become the all-time second leading run-scorer of the league’s history.

Fakhar has now scored 2005 runs in 64 innings at an average of 31.82 including 17 fifties and a century.

It is pertinent to mention that Fakhar’s half-century led Qalandars to post a competitive 175/6 against home side Multan Sultans in the PSL 8 opener.

READ: Fakhar’s fifty takes Qalandars to 175/6 against Sultans in PSL 8 opener

MULTAN: Skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s magnificent 75-run knock went in vain as Zaman Khan held his nerves calm to defend 15 runs in the final over to steer defending champions Lahore Qalandars to a winning start in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight.

Set to chase 176, home side Sultans fell just one run short of triumph as they could accumulate 174/6 in their quota of 20 overs despite a magnificent half-century by their skipper.

Rizwan laid a solid foundation for the run chase with a brilliant 100-run partnership for the first wicket with Shan Masood, who perished in the 13th over after scoring 35 off 31 deliveries.

The skipper then put on a brief 31-run partnership with David Miller before his counterpart Shaheen Shah Afridi castled him on 75. The right-handed batter faced 50 deliveries and smashed nine boundaries including a six.

Following Rizwan’s dismissal, the Sultans lost the momentum for the run chase and fell just one run short of glory as the side lost wickets at crucial stages including three in the final over.

Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Zaman and Hussain Talat made one scalp each for the Qalandars.

Put into bat first, the Qalandars finished at 175/6 at the back of a sensational 66-run knock by their opener Fakhar.

The Qalandars’ openers Haris Baig and Fakhar laid a solid foundation for a competitive total with a magnificent 61-run partnership for the first wicket before Akeal Hossein removed the young batter.

Baig scored a brilliant 26-ball 32 that featured five boundaries.

Fakhar, on the other hand, stood his ground firm and put on brief partnerships with Shai Hope (19) and Kamran Ghulam (3) as the two batters failed to make it big with the bat.

Sultans’ pick of the bowlers Usama Mir then handed his side a much-needed breakthrough in the 16th over in the form of Fakhar, who top-scored for his side with 66 off 42 deliveries, laced with three boundaries and five sixes.

Following Fakhar’s departure, brief yet important cameos by Hussain Talat (20) and Sikandar Raza (19*) took their side to 175/6 in their set of 20 overs.

Usama returned with astounding figures of 2/25 while Ihsanullah bagged 2/37. Akeal Hossein and Shanawaz Dahani, however, struck out a batter each.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday released the list of players placed in the platinum category for the upcoming Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) season 8 Draft, left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman included.

A total of 35 renowned players, including Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar, are listed in the platinum category for the PSL 8 Draft.

Notably, Fakhar was released by the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars as they announced their retentions for the next edition, however, can recruit the left-handed opener as they will be having the first pick in the players’ draft.

The left-handed batter was adjudged the batter of the PSL 7 as he accumulated 588 runs at 45.23 with a hefty strike rate of 152.7.

He smashed seven half-centuries and a hundred for the Qalandars and played a crucial role in their maiden PSL title victory.

🚨 List of players in 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 category for the #HBLPSLDraft 🚨 #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/yroG0dOqYL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 14, 2022

 

The much-awaited players’ draft for the next year’s edition of the PSL will be held in Karachi on December 15.

Earlier, a list of foreign players in the diamond category was also released on Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had already revealed the pick order for the drafts, where defending champions Lahore Qalandars will make the first pick followed by Quetta Gladiators and 2021 champions Multan Sultans.

The marquee tournament is slated to take place next year from February 9 to March 19 with Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi selected as host venues for the eighth edition of PSL.

The champions of the 2020 edition, Karachi Kings will make the fourth pick, while two-time champions Islamabad United will have the fifth pick.

The 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, will make the last pick in the draft.

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