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Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is likely to escape with a reprimand for criticising the PCB ahead of the squad announcement, where it planned to drop former skipper Babar Azam for two Tests against England. Azam, along with several senior players, got eventually dropped for two Test days after Fakhar expressed his displeasure on social media. Fakhar was issued a show-cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he tweeted his views where he compared Azam's run drought with India's Virat Kohli, who went through a lean patch between 2020 and late 2022. "It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar wrote on 'X'. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic butt
A thumping seven-wicket win over Bangladesh has certainly uplifted the mood in Pakistan's camp and opener Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday said they're firmly focused on making the semifinals, despite all the ifs and buts. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi led the pace attack brilliantly to bowl out Bangladesh for a paltry 204 before they cantered home in 32.3 overs to hugely boost their net run-rate. "Every win in the World Cup, gives you confidence. We also waited for this win," Zaman said at the post-match media interaction. "We have now started to find our rhythm. Against South Africa, we made comebacks while batting as well as bowling. "We are getting our combinations right. I've been part of this dressing room for eight years now, it will improve further," he said. Making a comeback after five matches, Fakhar struck a 74-ball 81 and laid the foundation with Abdullah Shafique (68) in a 128-run opening stand. It made it a straightforward chase for Pakistan as they looked in a hurry to
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman has moved up seven places to number 12 in the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings for batsmen after he played a knock of 193 against South Africa on Sunday.Fakhar played an ODI knock for the ages against Proteas in Johannesburg where he scored 193 off 155 balls before being run out in the last over. His performance catapulted him up to 7 places to the 12th in the latest rankings.From the South African camp, Rassie van der Dussen's innings of 123 not out and 60 in the first two ODIs against Pakistan helped him up to a career-best 22nd place. South African captain Temba Bavuma's 92 in the second match against Pakistan has helped him to a career-best 88th place with the bat.In bowlers, South African Anrich Nortje started the series against Pakistan with figures of 4-51 and 3-63 to move to a career-best 73rd place with 427 points. While Haris Rauf took five wickets in the first two ODIs to gain 71 places to 143rd with the ball.In the T20I format of the game, Kiwi ...