Salman Butt: “Fakhar Zaman is always a threat”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt conceded big-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman “is always a threat” as he can catch fire at any time.
Lately, Zaman has shown consistency for the men in green, playing impactful innings at the top of the batting line-up.
He was Pakistan’s top run-scorer in the T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, finishing with 155 runs in five matches, which included a top score of 77 not out, at an average of 38.75 and a strike-rate of 138.39.
The 35-year-old from Mardan maintained his momentum in the 2025 Asia Cup, where he had the second-most runs for Pakistan.
In seven games, he struck 181 runs, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 30.16 and a strike-rate of 120.66.
Having seen Zaman deliver match-winning performances for Pakistan over the years, Salman acknowledged that opposition teams will always consider him a priority wicket early in the game.
“Fakhar Zaman is always a threat,” he was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
Pakistan managed to make it to the final of the Asia Cup, but failed to be crowned champions as India beat them by five wickets.
The men in green are now playing a home series against South Africa that includes two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs.
Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi