Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman: “I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing, and if there is a chance, I will play”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Powerful Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman said there is nothing wrong with his fitness, which is why he has been playing in the Champions T20 Cup.
His comments come after he was overlooked for Pakistan’s limited overs series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
White-ball head coach Aaqib Javed attributed this to Zaman’s fitness issues, while other reports claimed that it occurred after he criticised the decision to drop Babar Azam midway through Pakistan’s three-Test series against England in October 2024.
However, Zaman insisted that he is healthy and ready to go, as shown by his solid performance in the Champions T20 Cup.
In nine games for the Markhors, the 34-year-old from Mardan has amassed 283 runs, which includes two fifties, at an average of 31.44 and a strike-rate of 138.72.
“I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing, and if there is a chance, I will play,” Zaman was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
During their tour of Australia, Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1 before getting thrashed 3-0 in the T20Is.
They then went to Zimbabwe and secured a 2-1 win in both the ODI and T20I series.
The men in green are now taking on South Africa and lost the T20I series 2-0 before bouncing back to whitewash the Proteas 3-0 in the ODIs.
Pakistan and South Africa will now play two Tests, with the first match starting on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series:Â Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha