Fakhar Zaman Archives

PSL 11 team of tournament announced, Babar named captain

May 4, 2026 by Newsdesk

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the Team of the Tournament for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League 11, featuring several top-performing local and international stars.

According to the announcement, Babar Azam has been rewarded with the captaincy for his outstanding batting performances and leadership throughout the season.

The squad features strong representation from the champions Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, with three players each included in the lineup.

Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United have contributed two players each, while Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators have one player each in the selected XI.

Notably, no player from the Rawalpindi team managed to secure a place in the final twelve-member squad.

The selection highlights consistent individual performances and standout contributions across the tournament, with the PCB recognizing top performers from multiple franchises.

The selected squad includes prominent players such as Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

Other inclusions are Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Khan, alongside pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hunain Shah, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

England’s Richard Gleeson has also been named in the side, reflecting strong overseas representation in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Hassan Nawaz has been selected as the 12th player in the squad.

The selection highlights standout performances across franchises, recognizing both batting firepower and bowling excellence throughout the tournament.

Babar Azam equals PSL record for most runs in a single season

April 28, 2026 by Newsdesk

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has equalled the record for most runs in a single season of the Pakistan Super League.

During Tuesday’s PSL Qualifier, Babar played a brilliant innings of 103 runs off 59 balls against Islamabad United.

With this performance, Babar Azam has now scored 588 runs in 10 innings in PSL 2026.

He has matched the record previously set by Fakhar Zaman, who scored 588 runs in 13 innings during the 2022 edition.

Notably, Babar still has at least one and possibly two matches remaining, giving him a strong opportunity to surpass the record.

Fakhar Zaman dismisses T20I retirement rumors

April 6, 2026 by Newsdesk

Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has broken his silence on reports suggesting his retirement from T20 internationals, clarifying that he has no immediate plans to step away from the format.

In a statement, Fakhar said that while he had initially considered retiring from T20 cricket after the World Cup, he has now decided to continue playing and has no intention of retiring at this stage.

“I want to finish my T20 career on a high note,” he added.

The 35-year-old has been a key performer for Pakistan in T20 internationals, scoring 2,494 runs in 120 matches at an impressive strike rate of 132.51, including 14 half-centuries.

Fakhar has also been a consistent performer in the Pakistan Super League, representing Lahore Qalandars and remaining part of the squad for the 11th consecutive season.

Fakhar Zaman appeals against two-match ban in PSL 11

April 1, 2026 by Newsdesk

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman, a key batter for Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League 11, has filed an appeal against his two-match suspension imposed over a ball-tampering incident.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had suspended Fakhar Zaman for two matches, citing a Level 3 breach of the code of conduct related to ball tampering.

According to PCB officials, the ban was imposed under the relevant article concerning ball manipulation during a match.

Sources indicate that the cricketer has now approached the PSL technical committee, challenging the decision and seeking relief from the suspension.

The incident was reported during the match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, after which match referee Roshan Mahanama announced the verdict following a hearing.

Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on fitness criticism

March 18, 2026 by Newsdesk

KARACHI: Cricketer Fakhar Zaman has addressed recent comments about his fitness, responding to criticism from former cricketer Abdur Rauf Khan on social media.

In a post, Zaman acknowledged that he was not at 100% fitness for 50-over cricket but emphasized that he had cleared his fitness test on March 15 before participating in the National T20 tournament.

He also agreed with former cricketer Aaqib Javed, stating that his remarks regarding Zaman’s readiness were accurate.

Earlier, Abdul Rauf had shared a picture of Zaman in the field, questioning the selection committee’s decisions and sparking discussions about the opener’s fitness.

Babar, Fakhar ruled out of Bangladesh series due to injuries: Aqib Javed

March 14, 2026 by Newsdesk

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket selection committee member Aqib Javed has said that Babar Azam will miss the upcoming Bangladesh series due to injury, while Fakhar Zaman is also currently unfit.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Aqib Javed said the team had high expectations from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but failed to perform as expected.

He noted that Pakistan’s record against India national cricket team now stands at 8-0 in their favor in recent World Cup encounters, adding that if the India match is set aside, Pakistan only lost one game in the tournament.

“A match was washed out due to rain and we ended up missing the semi-finals. After that people start saying everything is finished and demand sweeping changes,” he said.

Aqib Javed added that both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are injured and will not be part of the series against Bangladesh national cricket team. He said an investigation will be conducted to determine how two key players suffered injuries immediately after the World Cup.

“We need to find out whether they sustained these injuries during the event,” he stated.

He further said that Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Salman Mirza are not currently fit to play and questioned whether they would have been able to participate even if the team had reached the final.

Aqib Javed emphasized that the responsibility for selecting the playing XI rests with the captain and the coach. “We have no desire to sit here and decide the final eleven. The playing XI should be the decision of the captain and coach since they manage the players on the field,” he said.

The former fast bowler also stressed that every stakeholder must take responsibility, adding that frequent changes after every defeat are not a solution.

“We keep saying after every event that there should be scrutiny and everyone should be replaced — the chairman, selectors and the captain. But constant changes are not the answer,” he said.

He noted that Pakistan cricket’s development has not progressed as it should have since the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 victory.

Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq said the focus is on identifying the players Pakistan needs for different conditions and formats.

He added that while mistakes can occur in leadership roles, they are part of the game and the aim is always to contribute positively whenever given the opportunity.

Mike Hesson confident in Babar Azam’s specialized role

February 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

COLOMBO: Ahead of Pakistan’s Super 8 T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, Pakistan cricket team head coach Mike Hesson expressed full confidence in captain Babar Azam, highlighting his specialized skills and the strategic role he plays in the team.

Hesson emphasized that Babar knows what is expected of him and that after the Asia Cup, he has been brought back for a specific role in the middle order.

He noted that Babar’s strike rate in powerplays is below 100, which is not the role required from him. The coach referenced Babar’s performance in the match against the USA, where he successfully increased his strike rate.

Hesson stated that at times, other players may execute certain roles more effectively, but Babar possesses unique skills critical for Pakistan’s strategy.

Hesson confirmed that Fakhar Zaman remains in the squad and will play when needed.

He highlighted that in Sri Lankan conditions, spinners will play a significant role, and team combinations will be adjusted accordingly.

Usman Tariq was praised for his exceptional skills, capable of both attack and defense simultaneously.

Hesson also clarified that Salman Agha’s reaction during his dismissal was only due to being upset, and no further discussion occurred.

Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Saturday.

Hesson expressed confidence that the team is well-prepared and hopes to take full advantage of the playing conditions.

This press conference reaffirmed Pakistan’s strategic planning, emphasizing Babar Azam’s central role and the adaptability of the squad in critical T20 match scenarios.