Azhar Mahmood: “If we see, Fakhar Zaman was making his comeback, and he didn’t make it seem like it was his comeback innings, he didn’t waste any time. He is a world-class player and so is Babar Azam”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood said big-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman “didn’t waste any time” in showcasing his talent upon returning to international cricket.
Zaman made his comeback during the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and amassed 135 runs in three matches, which included a top score of 84, at an average of 45 and a strike-rate of 120.53.
The 34-year-old then proceeded to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy and struck 24 runs in the opening game against New Zealand.
However, his campaign came to an end in that match as well as he suffered an oblique injury.
Despite the setback, Mahmood was thrilled to see the Mardan native return with a bang and called him a world-class player.
He said the same about Babar Azam, who made 87 runs in two matches during the Champions Trophy, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
“If we see, Fakhar Zaman was making his comeback, and he didn’t make it seem like it was his comeback innings, he didn’t waste any time. He is a world-class player and so is Babar Azam,” Mahmood was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which resulted in them getting knocked out in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Next up for the men in green will be a tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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