Fakhar Zaman (Urdu/Pashto: فخر زمان; born 10 April 1990) is a Pakistani cricketer who plays for the Pakistan national team. He has also played for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.[2]
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[hide]Background[edit]
Zaman was born in Katlang in the Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He moved to Karachi at the age of 16 following matriculation. In 2007, Zaman joined the Pakistan Navy as a sailor after receiving his schooling and training at sea from the Pakistan Navy School, Bahadur.[3][4][1] His choice of career was persuaded by his father, who was dissuaded by Fakhar's childhood addiction to cricket and wanted his son to focus on his academics.[5] The name Fakhar literally translates to "pride".[5] Amongst his teammates, he is known by the nickname fauji(soldier).[1][6][7]
In Karachi, Zaman continued playing cricket occasionally in inter-departmental matches, including representations for the Pakistan Navy cricket team. He was first identified by his navy coach, Azam Khan, who encouraged him to pursue professional cricket. In 2013, he left his naval career after a "tough decision" in pursuit of this dream and began appearing for regional outfits like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbottabad Falcons, Balochistan and several Karachi teams. He became the second-highest run scorer in the 2016 Pakistan Cup and also impressed selectors in the 2016-17 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He was also picked by the Lahore Qalandars side for the 2017 Pakistan Super League, where he was closely mentored by New Zealand player Brendon McCullum.[8] He was soon noticed by Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur during a training camp in Lahore, following which he earned a call-up for the national side.[6]
International career[edit]
In March 2017, he was named in Pakistan's limited overs squad for their matches against the West Indies.[9] He made his Twenty20 International(T20I) debut for Pakistan against the West Indies on 30 March 2017.
