Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman: “I managed to play but I remember that I didn’t sleep well that night and he forced me to play. I’m pleased he did”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan big-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman has revealed that he almost didn’t feature in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, but Mickey Arthur, who was head coach at the time, “forced me to play”.
Zaman became a hero in that match as he smashed a magnificent 114, which came off 106 balls and included 12 boundaries and three sixes.
The 34-year-old ended up being named Man of the Match as Pakistan went on to beat India by 180 runs and be crowned champions.
However, Zaman nearly missed the game since he was sick. Ultimately, it was thanks to Arthur that he ended up playing.
“I was not well the day before the game. I even talked to Mickey and said I won’t be able to play the game. He said you go out there and get a duck first ball, it doesn’t matter, you have to play that game. I managed to play but I remember that I didn’t sleep well that night and he forced me to play. I’m pleased he did!” the Mardan native was quoted as saying on the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.
Zaman recently made his international comeback in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
In the three games he played, he amassed 135 runs, which included a top score of 84, at an average of 45 and a strike-rate of 120.53.
Zaman will now take part in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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