Fakhar Zaman set to return for tri-series next year

Pakistan’s seasoned left-handed batter and white-ball cricket specialist Fakhar Zaman has got ‘indication’ from the national selectors that he will be considered for the tri-nation series which Pakistan will host just before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Fakhar’s family source, when approached by this correspondent, said that ‘yes’ he has got green signal from the selectors.

“InshaAllah he will return. He is doing well now,” the source said.

The tri-nation series, involving Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand, will be hosted by Multan from February 8-14.

It would be a prelude to the Champions Trophy which will be held from February 19 to March 9. The tournament will be held on the hybrid model with India to play its matches at the UAE.

Fakhar was a big miss during Pakistan’s recently held white-ball series against Australia and South Africa.

Although the Green-shirts defeated both Aussies and Proteas in the one-day series 2-1 and 3-0, respectively, but lost their T20 series against Australia 3-0 and South Africa 2-0. The last T20 show between Pakistan and South Africa in Johannesburg had been abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled.

The tweet controversy in general and his fitness issues (hyperthyroid) in particular were the main reasons behind Fakhar’s omission from the three successive tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Fakhar was also not awarded central contract following such issues but during this pressing time he focused on his fitness and did a fine workout at the National Cricket Academy at Lahore.

Back in form

He recently showed his fitness and form in the Champions Cup at Rawalpindi while representing the eventual runners-up Markhors by accumulating 303 runs in 10 innings with an average of 30.30.

Hussain Talat, discarded international all-rounder, topped the leading scorers’ chart with 319 runs while playing for the champions Stallions. Hasan Nawaz of Lions finished second with 312 runs in nine innings at an average of 34.66.

Abdullah Shafique was seen struggling on the recent tours while opening the innings and Fakhar was hugely missed.

Fakhar is a hard-hitting batter and the special thing about him is that he has the ability to play long innings in one-day cricket.

He has hit ten centuries and one double century in his so far 82-matches ODI career. His highest 210 not out was against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on July 20, 2018. He had hit five sixes and 24 fours in his 156-ball knock which had guided Pakistan to 399-1 in the allotted 50 overs.

Zimbabwe, were, then skittled out for 155, with Pakistan sealing a huge 244-run win.

His other memorable knock of 193 came against South Africa at Johannesburg on April 4, 2021.

Set to score 342, Fakhar hammered 193 with the help of ten sixes and 18 fours before being run out in the last over and so Pakistan was restricted to 324-9.

Fakhar, with superb 114, also was the hero of Pakistan’s huge 180-run win over India in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval.

Babar was the other major contributor with 31 runs.

Fakhar in a recent interview has clarified the recent misunderstandings.

“People misunderstood the things and they thought that I criticized the PCB decision to drop Babar Azam which is totally wrong,” Fakhar said.

“I had made the tweet relating to Babar Azam before Pakistan’s team announcement for the remaining two Tests against England. And I did not know what was going on,” Fakhar said.

“I listened to some journalists and ex-players suggesting that Babar should be dropped. I thought that these people don’t consider Babar’s huge services for the team and say that he should be dropped. It was the same thing which forced me to make such a tweet,” Fakhar said.

“Think, I am a cricketer and centrally-contracted player and I also have to play cricket onwards. I was thinking the PCB will also like this tweet. I have also told the PCB that the tweet was before the team’s announcement and I would never do it after the team’s announcement,” Fakhar said.

Fakhar was also suffering from hyperthyroid. He said that when he knew about it, he was happy not to tour Australia as it is not easy to perform when a player is not hundred percent fit.

Pakistan’s recent series victories over Australia and South Africa have put Pakistan among title favorites for the Champions Trophy.

A stumper in the shape of Sarfraz Ahmad led his side to title victory in the Champions Trophy in 2017. And now again a gloveman Rizwan is seen to have handled his charges well which created a hope that Pakistan will be in a better position to defend the crown.