Fakhar Zaman refutes retirement rumors, eyes return to team

Pakistan’s explosive opening batter Fakhar Zaman has firmly dismissed rumors regarding his retirement, assuring fans that he remains committed to international cricket. 

Speaking about his fitness and plans while giving an interview to a media outlet, the left-handed batter revealed that he is working hard to regain full fitness and is mentally prepared to return to action.

"There is no truth to the rumors about my retirement," Zaman stated. "I will soon be fully fit and rejoin the team."

The left-handed batter limped off the field during the opening match against New Zealand in Karachi.

The incident occurred in the first over of the fixture when Fakhar Zaman fell awkwardly during the fielding and got hurt.

Following his injury, opening batter Imam-ul-Haq replaced Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.

"When I got injured, the pain made it clear that my Champions Trophy was finished," Fakhar stated.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s underwhelming performance, he suggested that things might have turned out differently had he been able to open the innings against New Zealand.

 "If I had opened in the match against New Zealand, perhaps the situation would have been different," he remarked.

Emphasizing the importance of openers in high-run chases, Fakhar explained, "In big targets, the role of openers is crucial. The first 10 overs are the key to scoring quick runs."

The left-handed batter also disclosed that, despite his injury, he opted to field in hopes of being able to open the innings. "I fielded during the match so that I could open.

Sometimes, people have high expectations, but you just can’t do anything about certain situations," he added.

Recalling his fond memories of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, where he played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s triumph against India, Fakhar revealed that he had high hopes for the 2025 edition.

 "The Champions Trophy is a major event, and I have many memories attached to the 2017 edition. I thought maybe this tournament would turn out to be lucky for me," he said.

Fakhar also shared his strong affinity for the One Day International (ODI) format, saying, "ODIs are a format I enjoy. I had planned a lot for this tournament. When I recovered from my illness, I immediately started training for it." He further revealed that doctors had advised him to take more time to regain full fitness, but his determination pushed him to begin preparations early.

In a lighter mood, Zaman also shed light on his focus on red-ball cricket, emphasizing that he had been keen to improve in the longer format of the game. 

However, he hinted at a lack of support from the team management. "I was focused on red-ball cricket, but the coach did not show the same interest," he remarked.

In addition to his batting prowess, the 33-year-old cricketer asserted that he is also a capable bowler. "I am a good bowler too," he stated. 

 Known for his aggressive style of play, Fakhar Zaman has been an integral part of Pakistan's white-ball setup. 

His contributions, including his iconic century in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, have made him a fan favorite.