Fakhar Zaman (cricketer)

Fakhar Zaman (Pashto: فخر زمان‎; born 10 April 1990) is a Pakistani cricketer and former Pakistan Navy sailor who plays for the Pakistan national cricket team[1] and for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).[2]

Fakhar Zaman
فخر زمان
Fakhar Zaman, October 2017
Born	(1990-04-10) 10 April 1990 Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Education	Pakistan Navy School
Cricket information
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Slow left-arm orthodox
Role	Opening batsman
International information
National side	Pakistan (2017–present)
Test debut (cap 234)	16 October 2018 v Australia
Last Test	3 January 2019 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 212)	7 June 2017 v South Africa
Last ODI	2 October 2019 v Sri Lanka
ODI shirt no.	39
T20I debut (cap 74)	30 March 2017 v West Indies
Last T20I	5 November 2019 v Australia
T20I shirt no.	39
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2012–2015	Karachi
2016	Peshawar
2017–present	Lahore Qalandars
2017	Baluchistan
2017	Comilla Victorians
2019	Glamorgan
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI T20I Matches 3 46 34 Runs scored 192 1,958 756 Batting average 32.00 46.61 22.90 100s/50s 0/2 4/13 0/4 Top score 94 210* 91 Balls bowled – 135 – Wickets – 1 – Bowling average – 111.00 – 5 wickets in innings – 0 – 10 wickets in match – 0 – Best bowling – 1/19 – Catches/stumpings 3/– 21/– 12/–
Source: Cricinfo, 6 November 2019

On 20 July 2018, he became the first batsman for Pakistan to score a double century in a One Day International (ODI) match.[3] Two days later, he became the fastest batsman to score 1,000 runs in ODIs.[4] In August 2018, he was one of thirty-three players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).[5][6]

Early life

Zaman was born on 10 April 1990 in Katlang in the Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He moved to Karachi at the age of 16 following matriculation. In 2007, Zaman joined the Pakistan Navy as a sailor after receiving his schooling and training at sea from the Pakistan Navy School, Bahadur.[7][8][9] His choice of career was persuaded by his father, who was dissuaded by Fakhar's childhood addiction to cricket and wanted his son to focus on his academics.[10] The name Fakhar literally translates to "pride".[10] Amongst his teammates, he is known by the nickname fauji (soldier).[9][11][12]

Domestic and T20 career

In Karachi, Zaman continued playing cricket occasionally in inter-departmental matches, including representations for the Pakistan Navy cricket team. He was first identified by his navy coach, Azam Khan, who encouraged him to pursue professional cricket. In 2013, he left his naval career after a "tough decision" in pursuit of this dream and began appearing for regional outfits like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbottabad Falcons, Balochistan and several Karachi teams. He became the second-highest run scorer in the 2016 Pakistan Cup and also impressed selectors in the 2016–17 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He was also picked by the Lahore Qalandars side for the 2017 Pakistan Super League, where he was closely mentored by New Zealand player Brendon McCullum.[13] He was soon noticed by Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur during a training camp in Lahore, following which he earned a call-up for the national side.[11]

In August 2017, he was named in Durban Qalandars' squad for the first season of the T20 Global League.[14] However, in October 2017, Cricket South Africa initially postponed the tournament until November 2018, with it being cancelled soon after.[15]

In July 2019, he was selected to play for the Rotterdam Rhinos in the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.[16][17] However, the following month the tournament was cancelled.[18]

International career

International debut

In March 2017, he was named in Pakistan's limited overs squad for their matches against the West Indies.[19] He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Pakistan against the West Indies on 30 March 2017.[20]

In April 2017, he was named in Pakistan's One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.[21] He made his ODI debut for Pakistan against South Africa in the Champions Trophy on 7 June 2017, scoring 31 runs.

In the final against India, Zaman edged to the wicket-keeper, when he was on 3, but survived as it was a no-ball.[22] After that, Zaman went on to score his maiden ODI century and helped Pakistan post a total of 338. With that, Zaman became the first batsman for Pakistan to score a century in an ICC event final.[23] India batting second collapsed and Pakistan won the match by 180 runs to become the winners of Champions Trophy for the first time. Zaman was adjudged man of the match for his batting performance.[24] Zaman and Azhar Ali's partnership in the match was 128 runs, making it the highest opening partnership in the Champions Trophy history for Pakistan, and the highest opening partnership in an ODI for Pakistan since 2009.[25][26]

2018: England, Zimbabwe and Australia

In April 2018, he was named in Pakistan's Test squad for their tours to Ireland and England in May 2018, but he did not play.[27]

On 8 July 2018, Fakhar scored 91 runs against Australia in the tri-series final in Harare to help Pakistan secure the title. He was named man of the final and man of the series.[28][29] During his innings he also became the first Pakistani batsman to score 500 or more runs in T20Is in a calendar year.[30]

On 20 July 2018, in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe, he became the first batsman for Pakistan to score a double century in ODIs, finishing 210 not out.[31][32] In the same match, he and Imam-ul-Haq made the then highest opening partnership in ODIs, scoring 304 runs.[33] His innings propelled Pakistan's total to 399, which was their highest score in ODIs.[34]

Two days later, in the fifth match of the series, Zaman became the fastest player to score 1,000 runs in ODIs.[4] He reached the milestone in 18 innings, beating the previous record of 21 innings, held by five other batsmen.[35] Zaman went on to score 85 runs in the match, bringing his total to 515 runs in the series, the most by a Pakistan batsman in a bilateral ODI series.[36] Zaman and Imam had scored 705 runs together across the series, the most by a pair in a bilateral ODI series.[36] Zaman also recorded the most runs scored by a batsman between two dismissals in ODIs, with 455.[37]

In September 2018, he was named in Pakistan's Test squad for their series against Australia.[38] He made his Test debut for Pakistan against Australia on 16 October 2018.[39]

2019: Cricket World Cup year

In April 2019, he was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[40][41] Ahead of the Cricket World Cup, in the ODI series against England, Zaman scored 138 runs in the second ODI match. This was the highest individual total for a Pakistan batsman against England in a One Day International.[42] However, three days later, Imam-ul-Haq set a new record with 151 runs, in the third ODI of the series.[43]

2020

In June 2020, he was named in a 29-man squad for Pakistan's tour to England during the COVID-19 pandemic.[44][45] However, on 23 June 2020, Zaman was one of seven players from Pakistan's squad to test positive for COVID-19.[46]

See also

• List of highest individual scores in ODIs
• List of One Day International cricket double centuries

References

1. "Meet the new faces in the Pakistan Test squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
2. "Fakhar Zaman". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
3. "Fakhar Zaman - from king of Katlang to pride of Pakistan". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
4. "Zaman breaks 38-year-old record". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
5. "PCB Central Contracts 2018–19". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
6. "New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
7. Sheikh, Arslan (16 October 2016). "The Navy jawaan who would be Adam Gilchrist".
8. "India vs Pakistan, ICC Champions Trophy Final: Fakhar Zaman, the fauji who is now the pride of Pakistan". 20 June 2017.
9. "My number will come – Fakhar Zaman". Cricinfo. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
10. Sundaresan, Bharat (19 June 2017). "India vs Pakistan, ICC Champions Trophy Final: Fakhar Zaman, the fauji who is now the pride of Pakistan". Indian Express. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
11. Khan, Qaiser (17 June 2017). "Fakhar Zaman: From the Navy to cricket stardom". Geo. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
12. Collomosse, Tom (18 June 2017). "Brilliant Champions Trophy Final century shows Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman was right to ditch Navy career". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
13. "The Kiwi hand behind the fearless Fakhar". Cricket.com.au. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
14. "T20 Global League announces final team squads". T20 Global League. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
15. "Cricket South Africa postpones Global T20 league". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
16. "Eoin Morgan to represent Dublin franchise in inaugural Euro T20 Slam". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
17. "Euro T20 Slam Player Draft completed". Cricket Europe. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
18. "Inaugural Euro T20 Slam cancelled at two weeks' notice". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
19. "Kamran Akmal returns to Pakistan ODI and T20I squads". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
20. "Pakistan tour of West Indies, 2nd T20I: West Indies v Pakistan at Port of Spain, Mar 30, 2017". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
21. "Pakistan recall Azhar, Umar Akmal". ESPNcricinfo. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
22. "Zaman feared he would miss final". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
23. "Fakhar Zaman rewarded for his risk". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
24. "New champions: Zaman, Amir and Pakistan raze India for title". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
25. "Zaman, Ali help Pakistan storm into Champion's Trophy final". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
26. "ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali record highest ODI opening run stand for Pakistan since 2009". The Indian Express. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
27. "Fakhar, Imam receive maiden call-ups to Ireland, England Tests". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
28. "Fakhar Zaman's 91 seals record chase to give Pakistan the title". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
29. "'A great team effort' – Sarfraz Ahmed". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
30. "Fakhar becomes first Pakistani to score 500 T20I runs in calendar year". GEO Tv. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
31. "Fakhar Zaman becomes first Pakistani to score a double ton in ODIs". Ary News. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
32. "Fakhar Zaman becomes first Pakistani to hit ODI Double century". Geo TV. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
33. "Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq Break All-Time Opening Partnership Record In ODIs". NDTV. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
34. "Records galore as Pakistan rewrite history in Bulawayo". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
35. "Fakhar Zaman is the quickest to 1000 runs in ODIs". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
36. "Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq march into the record books". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
37. "Fakhar Zaman: All the records broken by Pakistan's star opener during 5th ODI against Zimbabwe". Times Now. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
38. "Mohammad Amir dropped for two-Test series against Australia". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
39. "2nd Test, Australia tour of United Arab Emirates at Abu Dhabi, Oct 16-20 2018". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
40. "Mohammad Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
41. "Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
42. "England vs Pakistan, 2019: 2nd ODI – Statistical Highlights". CricTracker. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
43. "Imam century powers Pakistan to 358-9 in third ODI against England". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
44. "Haider Ali the new face as Pakistan name 29-man touring party for England". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
45. "Haider Ali named in 29-player squad for England tour". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
46. "Seven more Pakistan players test positive for Covid-19". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 June 2020.

External links

• Fakhar Zaman at ESPNcricinfo