Fakhar Zaman, hailing from Katlang, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, made his debut in the first-class cricket scene back in 2013, representing Karachi Blues. His journey into the world of cricket took a unique twist when, at the young age of 16, he relocated to Karachi and enlisted in the Navy. However, after a year of this unusual detour, his passion for cricket took centre stage and has been his focus ever since.
As a southpaw batsman and a handy part-time slow left-arm bowler, Fakhar Zaman's batting style is particularly well-suited for the limited-overs format. His prowess was evident during the 2016 edition of the Pakistan Cup, where he amassed an impressive 297 runs in just five matches, featuring two half-centuries and a memorable century.
His explosive 115-run knock in the final propelled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to victory and secured him a prominent position as the second-highest run-scorer, trailing only behind Ahmed Shehzad.
These stellar Fakhar Zaman batting performances across various domestic formats ensured his inclusion in the Lahore Qalandars squad for the second season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Fakhar Zaman's 'See the ball, hit the ball' technique made him a crowd's favourite, additionally making him a force to be reckoned with in shorter formats of the sport. His electrifying performances earned him a place in Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy in mid-2017.
Fakhar Zaman seized the chance with open arms, earning the Man of the Final identity after a great century in the showdown towards arch-opponents India. Pakistan clinched the coveted Champions Trophy, and Zaman's 252 runs in four games converted him into a poster boy of Pakistani cricket. While he sat out the primary league sport towards India, he made a resounding debut in opposition to South Africa in the second match, contributing a quickfire 31 off 23 balls.
This marked the beginning of his global profession, and Fakhar Zaman in no way looked back again, continually handing out outstanding performances, along with half-centuries in opposition to Sri Lanka and England, culminating in the icing on the cake—a century in the finals.
In a list of iconic performances, Fakhar Zaman's name shines brightly as he joined the elite club of Man of the Match awards in Champions Trophy finals, alongside cricket legends such as Jacques Kallis, Chris Cairns, Ian Bradshaw, Shane Watson (twice), and Ravindra Jadeja.
Fakhar Zaman's cricket adventure is marked by marvellous batting records and a promising career that continues to polish in numerous formats of the sport.
FAQs
What is Fakhar Zaman's highest score in Test matches?
Fakhar Zaman's highest score in Test matches is 94.
How many centuries has Fakhar Zaman scored in ODIs?
Fakhar Zaman has scored ten centuries in the ODI format.
How many ODIs has Fakhar Zaman bowled in, and how many wickets has he taken?
He has bowled in 7 ODIs and has taken 1 wicket.
When did Fakhar Zaman make his ODI debut?
Fakhar Zaman's ODI debut came on June 7, 2017.