Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan Cricket Player

Fakhar Zaman is a famous cricket player from Pakistan. He was born on April 10, 1990, in Mardan, which is a town in Pakistan. Fakhar is known for his powerful and exciting style of playing cricket. He’s left-handed, meaning he holds the cricket bat with his left hand, and he’s around 6 feet tall.

Fakhar Zaman not only bats but also bowls. He uses his left arm to bowl, and he bowls slowly. In cricket, he usually starts batting for his team at the beginning of the game. This is a big responsibility because it sets the tone for the rest of the team’s batting.

Moreover, people love watching Fakhar Zaman play because he’s very good at hitting the ball hard and scoring lots of runs. He’s become a hero for many cricket fans, especially in Pakistan and Australia, inspiring young players who dream of following in his footsteps.

Fakhar Zaman Early Life and Background

Full Name	Fakhar Zaman
Date of Birth	April 10, 1990
Place of Birth	Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Nationality	Pakistan
Birth Place	Mardan, Pakistan
Height	6 ft (1.83 m)
Batting Style	Left-handed
Bowling Style	Slow Left arm Orthodox
Role	Opening Batsmen , part time bowler

Early Life and Background

Family Background:

Fakhar was born on 10 April 1990 in Katlang in the Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a Pashtun family. The youngest among five brothers and two sisters, his father is a farmer while an elder brother is a teacher at Government High School Katlang.

Education:

Fakhar Zaman completed his matric exams in Karachi at the age of 16. In 2007, Fakhar Zaman joined the Pakistan Navy as a sailor after receiving his schooling and training at sea from the Pakistan Navy School, Bahadur. 

Early Interest in Cricket:

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. The name Fakhar literally translates to “pride”. Amongst his teammates, he is known by the nickname Fauji (soldier).

Youth Career:

In 2012, Fakhar Zaman represented the navy in the International Defence Cricket Challenge Cup in Australia and was named best player of the tournament. Later in 2020, the navy awarded him the honorary rank of Lieutenant, in recognition of his contribution to cricket.

Domestic Career

Teams Played For:

Fakhar Zaman has played for several domestic teams in Pakistan, including:

• Karachi Blues (2012–2015)
• Lahore Qalandars (in the Pakistan Super League, PSL 2017-Present)
• Balochistan (2017)
• Comilla Victorians (2017)
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2019-2023)

First-Class Debut:

Fakhar Zaman made his first-class debut on November 13, 2013, playing for Karachi Blues against Abbotabad.

List A Debut:

He made his List A debut on February 20, 2012, representing Karachi Zebras in a match against Abbottabad Rhinos.

For more than five years, Fakhar Zaman has been playing cricket in Pakistan’s domestic league without much attention. He’s a left-handed batsman who opens the game and has a unique way of holding his bat up high before he swings. He scores runs mostly by timing the ball well. Even though not many noticed him, he has been performing really well, as seen from his average scores of 42 in first-class cricket and 49 in List A cricket.

Twenty20 Debut:

Fakhar Zaman’s Twenty20 debut came on December 1, 2012, when he played for Karachi Zebras in a match against Lahore Lions.

During the Quaid-e-Azam trophy in 2016-17 that people started to take notice of Fakhar Zaman. In that competition, he scored 663 runs with an average of 51. In the final match, he scored 170 runs in the second innings. This was a big deal because in that game, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt also scored a century, but Fakhar’s performance stood out.

Notable Performances:

Fakhar Zaman is known for his aggressive batting style.

• In the 2016-2017 domestic season, he was one of the top performers, which earned him a spot in the national team.
• In the Pakistan Cup 2016, he was the leading run-scorer for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 297 runs in five matches.

Awards and Recognitions:

• Fakhar Zaman has been recognized for his outstanding performances in domestic cricket.
• Fakhar Zaman has received several Man of the Match awards in domestic tournaments.
• His consistent performance in the domestic circuit paved the way for his selection in the national team, where he achieved further fame and success.

Fakhar Zaman’s journey through domestic cricket showcases his hard work and determination, which eventually led to his success on the international stage.

International Career

International Debut

Test Debut:

• Fakhar Zaman made his Test debut for Pakistan in October 2018 against Australia. In his first Test match, he scored a total of 192 runs in 3 matches with a highest score of 94.

ODI Debut:

• Fakhar Zaman played his first One Day International (ODI) match on June 7, 2017, against South Africa. He quickly became known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score big runs.

T20I Debut:

• Fakhar’s T20 International debut was on March 30, 2017, against the West Indies. Over his T20I career, he played 88 matches and scored 1815 runs with a top score of 91.

Major Achievements

• First Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs: Fakhar scored an unbeaten 210 runs against Zimbabwe in July 2018.
• ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Fakhar Zaman played a crucial role in Pakistan’s win by scoring 114 runs in the final against India.
• Fastest to 1000 runs in ODIs for Pakistan: He achieved this milestone in just 18 innings.
• Most runs in a bilateral ODI series for Pakistan: Fakhar scored 515 runs in a five-match series against Zimbabwe in 2018.

Key Performances

• 210* vs Zimbabwe: Fakhar Zaman’s highest ODI score and Pakistan’s first-ever double century in ODIs.
• 114 vs India (ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final): His century in the final was pivotal in securing Pakistan’s victory.
• 193 vs South Africa: Fakhar played an outstanding innings in April 2021, nearly leading Pakistan to a remarkable win.

Records and Milestones

• Fastest 1000 runs in ODIs for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman holds the record, achieving it in 18 innings.
• First Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs: His 210* against Zimbabwe in 2018.
• Highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs for Pakistan: Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq put together a 304-run partnership against Zimbabwe.
• Most runs in a bilateral ODI series for Pakistan: He scored 515 runs in the series against Zimbabwe in 2018.
• First player to score consecutive centuries in ICC Champions Trophy: He achieved this during the 2017 tournament.

Playing Style and Skills

Batting Style and Strengths

• Batting Style: Fakhar Zaman is a left-handed batsman known for his aggressive and attacking style of play. He opens the batting and often sets the pace for his team.
• Strengths: Zaman excels at playing attacking shots, particularly strong in hitting boundaries with ease. His ability to score quickly and dominate bowlers makes him a valuable asset at the top of the order. He is especially known for his powerful drives and lofted shots over the infield.

Bowling Style and Specialties

• Bowling Style: While Fakhar Zaman is primarily a batsman, he occasionally bowls right-arm off-spin. However, his contributions as a bowler are minimal compared to his batting prowess.
• Specialties: His bowling is more part-time and used sparingly, often to break partnerships or provide a change in the bowling attack.

Fielding Abilities

• Fielding Skills: Fakhar Zaman is a highly athletic and agile fielder. His quick reflexes and speed make him effective in the outfield, where he can save crucial runs and take spectacular catches.
• Positions: He is usually positioned in the outfield, where his strong arm and ability to cover ground quickly come into play. His fielding skills add significant value to his overall contribution to the team.

Signature Moves/Deliveries

• Signature Moves: One of Fakhar Zaman’s signature batting moves is his ability to hit straight sixes over the bowler’s head, showcasing his strength and timing. He also has a trademark cover drive that is both elegant and powerful.
• Signature Deliveries: As a part-time bowler, Fakhar Zaman doesn’t have a signature delivery. His role in bowling is limited and typically not a key aspect of his gameplay.

Stats and Records

Test Matches

Matches Played: 3
Runs Scored: 192
Batting Average: 32.00
Centuries/Half-Centuries: 0/1
Wickets Taken: 0
Bowling Average: N/A
Best Bowling: N/A

Highest Score: 94 vs Australia
In the second Test of Australia’s tour of the UAE in October 2018, Fakhar Zaman scored his highest Test score of 94 runs. Opening the batting, he faced 198 balls and hit 8 fours. His innings was a blend of patience and aggression, providing a solid foundation for Pakistan against a strong Australian bowling attack.

ODI Matches

Matches Played: 76
Runs Scored: 3,267
Batting Average: 45.38
Centuries/Half-Centuries: 10/15
Wickets Taken: 1
Bowling Average: 40.00
Best Bowling: 1/18

Highest Score: 210* vs Zimbabwe
Fakhar Zaman’s highest ODI score is an unbeaten 210 runs against Zimbabwe on July 20, 2018, during the fourth ODI of Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe. Opening the batting, Fakhar faced 156 balls, hitting 24 fours and 5 sixes. This innings marked the first double century by a Pakistani in ODIs and contributed to a record-breaking opening partnership of 304 runs with Imam-ul-Haq.

First Century: 114 vs India
Fakhar Zaman scored his maiden ODI century against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on June 18, 2017. Opening the batting, he scored 114 runs off 106 balls, hitting 12 fours and 3 sixes. This century was crucial in setting up a total of 338 for Pakistan, leading to a dominant 180-run victory and securing their first ICC Champions Trophy title.

T20I Matches

Matches Played: 82
Runs Scored: 1,670
Batting Average: 20.87
Centuries/Half-Centuries: 0/10
Wickets Taken: 0
Bowling Average: N/A
Best Bowling: N/A

Highest Score: 91 vs Australia
Fakhar Zaman’s highest T20I score is 91 runs against Australia on July 8, 2018, during the final of the Tri-Series in Zimbabwe. Batting at the top of the order, Fakhar faced 46 balls, hitting 12 fours and 3 sixes. His aggressive innings played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s successful chase of 184 runs, helping them win the Tri-Series final.

Domestic and Other T20 Leagues

Domestic Performance: Fakhar Zaman has played extensively in Pakistan’s domestic cricket, representing various teams and consistently performing with the bat. His performances in domestic cricket have been instrumental in earning him a place in the national team.

T20 Leagues: Fakhar Zaman has participated in several T20 leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Playing for teams like Lahore Qalandars, he has made significant contributions with his aggressive batting at the top of the order, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable T20 batsman.

Captaincy and Leadership

Captaincy Record

Fakhar Zaman has not had extensive experience as a captain in international cricket for Pakistan. His primary role in the team has been as a key batsman, and he has not regularly led the team in matches.

Leadership Style

Even though Fakhar Zaman has not frequently captained his teams, he has shown leadership qualities on the field. He is known for leading by example through his aggressive batting and positive attitude. He encourages his teammates with his energy and determination. When he has captained teams in domestic cricket or in T20 leagues, he has been known to stay calm under pressure and make strategic decisions that benefit his team.

Notable Series Wins

While Fakhar Zaman has not been the main captain for Pakistan, he has contributed significantly to several important series wins. Notably:

• 2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Fakhar was a standout performer for Pakistan in this tournament, especially in the final against India, where he scored a match-winning century. His contributions were crucial in Pakistan winning the trophy.
• Various ODI and T20 Series: Fakhar’s performances have often helped Pakistan secure victories in bilateral series against different international teams.

Fakhar Zaman’s leadership qualities shine through his performances and the way he motivates his teammates, even if he hasn’t captained the national team extensively. His contributions on the field have been vital in many of Pakistan’s successes.

Off the Field

Personal Life

Family

Fakhar Zaman was born in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He comes from a humble background and has always been close to his family. His family has been supportive of his cricketing career from the beginning.

Spouse/Partner

Fakhar Zaman is married, though he keeps details about his spouse relatively private. His wife supports his career and is often a source of strength for him.

Children

Fakhar Zaman has a kid namely, Zain Fakhar. He enjoys spending time with him whenever he is not on the cricket field. He cherishes family moments and ensures to be a loving and present father.

Hobbies and Interests

When he is not playing cricket, Fakhar Zaman has several hobbies and interests. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, and listening to music. He is also an avid traveler and loves exploring new places whenever he gets the opportunity. Fitness is another important part of his life, and he often engages in different sports and activities to stay fit.

Philanthropy and Charity Work

Fakhar Zaman is involved in various charitable activities and believes in giving back to the community. He supports different causes, especially those related to health and education. He participates in charity matches and events, and often donates to help underprivileged communities. His philanthropic efforts have made a positive impact on many lives.

Business Ventures

Besides his cricketing career, Fakhar Zaman has ventured into business. He understands the importance of securing his future and has invested in different business ventures. While he keeps most of his business activities private, it is known that he has interests in the real estate sector and other local businesses. These ventures help him ensure a stable financial future beyond his cricketing career.

Fakhar Zaman leads a balanced life off the field. His personal life, hobbies, charity work, and business ventures show that he is not only a dedicated cricketer but also a well-rounded individual with a commitment to his family and community.

Controversies and Challenges

Major Controversies:

Controversial Dismissals:

Fakhar Zaman has faced several controversial dismissals during his career. One notable incident occurred during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup when he was given out under contentious circumstances. This dismissal, often debated among cricket enthusiasts and analysts, highlighted the need for consistent and fair umpiring decisions.

Code of Conduct Breaches:

Fakhar has occasionally found himself at the center of disciplinary actions. He has been fined or reprimanded for minor breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct, such as showing dissent towards umpires’ decisions or engaging in on-field verbal altercations with opponents. These incidents, while not severely damaging, have marked his career with moments of controversy.

Performance Under Scrutiny:

As a prominent player, Fakhar’s performances have been closely scrutinized. During periods of poor form, he has faced criticism from fans and media, sometimes leading to heated debates about his place in the team. Such scrutiny has often put him under immense pressure, challenging his mental resilience.

Injuries:

Knee Injury (2021):

Fakhar Zaman suffered a significant knee injury in 2021, which forced him to miss several crucial matches. The injury not only affected his physical performance but also took a toll on his confidence. His recovery process was closely monitored, and his return to form was eagerly anticipated by fans and selectors alike.

Finger Injury (2019):

During a match in 2019, Fakhar injured his finger while fielding, which impacted his ability to participate in subsequent games. The injury required medical intervention and rest, sidelining him during a critical phase of his career. This incident emphasized the physical demands and risks associated with professional cricket.

Recurring Muscle Strains:

Fakhar has also dealt with recurring muscle strains, particularly in his hamstrings and calves. These injuries have occasionally kept him out of action, affecting his consistency and momentum. Managing these injuries has been a significant challenge, requiring diligent physiotherapy and conditioning.

Comebacks:

Return after Knee Injury:

Fakhar Zaman’s comeback after his knee injury in 2021 was marked by determination and resilience. He worked very hard on his fitness and technique, making a successful return to the national team. His performances post-recovery showed his ability to overcome physical setbacks and regain form.

Century against South Africa (2021):

One of the most remarkable comebacks in Fakhar’s career was his innings against South Africa in April 2021, where he scored a breathtaking 193 runs. This performance silenced his critics and regained his position as a top-order batsman capable of winning matches single-handedly.

Revival in Domestic Cricket:

Fakhar has often turned to domestic cricket to regain form and confidence. His stellar performances in domestic tournaments have paved the way for his return to the international arena. These domestic successes have been crucial in rebuilding his career after periods of poor form or injury.

Legacy and Impact

Impact on the Game:

Fakhar Zaman has left a significant mark on cricket, especially in Pakistan. Known for his aggressive batting style, he brought a fresh energy to Pakistan’s top order. His ability to score quickly and build big innings has been crucial in many matches. His double century against Zimbabwe in 2018 made him the first Pakistani to score 200 runs in a One Day International (ODI), setting a new benchmark for future players.

Inspirations and Mentorship:

Fakhar Zaman has inspired many young cricketers in Pakistan with his journey from a navy sailor to an international cricket star. He often shares his experiences and challenges to motivate aspiring players. Additionally, he looks up to cricket legends like Adam Gilchrist and Saeed Anwar, whose playing styles influenced his own approach to batting. Fakhar also mentors younger teammates, offering advice and guidance to help them improve their game.

Quotes by/from Player:

• “Every time I step onto the field, I try to give my best for my team and my country.” – Fakhar Zaman
• “Playing for Pakistan was always a dream, and I am thankful for the opportunity.”
• “Failures are part of the game, but they teach you the most valuable lessons.”

Media and Endorsements

Media Appearances:

Fakhar Zaman has appeared in various television shows, interviews, and cricket analysis programs. He is often invited to share his insights on cricketing strategies and his personal experiences. Notably, he appears on sports analysis shows such as “Game On Hai” on PTV Sports, providing insights and commentary on ongoing cricket matches. His charismatic personality and honest opinions make him a favorite among viewers.

Endorsements:

Fakhar Zaman has signed endorsement deals with several well-known brands. He is a brand ambassador for Pepsi, often featured in their advertisements and promotional campaigns. Fakhar also endorses sportswear brand Gray-Nicolls, using their cricket equipment and featuring in their marketing materials. Additionally, he has partnered with Jazz, a leading telecommunications company in Pakistan, appearing in their commercials and promotional events. These endorsements have helped him gain widespread recognition and have boosted his public profile significantly.

Future Plans

Post-Retirement Plans:

Fakhar Zaman has expressed interest in staying connected to cricket even after his playing days are over. He plans to use his experience to contribute to the sport in different capacities, such as coaching and mentoring.

Involvement in Cricket Post-Retirement:

After retiring from professional cricket, Fakhar aims to take on coaching roles to help nurture young talent in Pakistan. He is also interested in getting involved in cricket administration to improve the sport’s infrastructure and support systems. His passion for cricket ensures that he will remain an influential figure in the cricketing community, inspiring future generations. He also shared a news of opening a sports academy in Australia.

Website : https://fakharzamanacademy.com/

Conclusion

Fakhar Zaman’s journey is a remarkable one. As he continues to excel, he remains a symbol of hope. Additionally, his story teaches valuable lessons. Ultimately, it is a tale of perseverance, hard work, and humility. Consequently, Fakhar Zaman is not just a cricketer, but an inspiration to all.