Sarfaraz Ahmed: “Fakhar Zaman, who was a newcomer back then (2017), has evolved into a much more experienced player. Fakhar has also developed into a top player”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said big-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman has “developed into a top player”.
Sarfaraz recalled how Zaman was a newcomer back in 2017, but has since gone on to become one of Pakistan’s top power-hitters.
The 34-year-old recently made his international comeback in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he 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.
He was then involved in the 2025 Champions Trophy and scored 24 runs in the opening game against New Zealand.
However, he suffered an oblique injury in that match and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
“Fakhar Zaman, who was a newcomer back then (2017), has evolved into a much more experienced player. Fakhar has also developed into a top player,” Sarfaraz told Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and India, while their final game against Bangladesh was washed out.
The men in green will now embark on a tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is and three ODIs 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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