"100%, I will play for Pakistan again," Fakhar Zaman confident about his return to national team

Pakistan's star batter Fakhar Zaman is confident about his return to international cricket, setting his sights on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After being sidelined due to health issues following the 2024 T20 World Cup, the opening batter is determined to make a significant impact for his team once again.  

In a recent interview, Fakhar opened up about the challenges he faced during his absence.  

"100%, I will play for Pakistan again," Fakhar said. "After the T20 World Cup, I fell sick. Due to my medical condition, I wasn't fit to play, which kept me out of the team," he said.   

He further explained, "I missed the tours of Australia and South Africa, but my entire focus was on the Champions Trophy. I have been working hard to regain fitness and make myself available for this tournament."  

Fakhar's contribution to Pakistan cricket has been remarkable, particularly during the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he made his ODI debut. He was instrumental in Pakistan's maiden title victory, scoring 252 runs in four matches at an average of 63.00 and a strike rate of 113. His match-winning century (114 runs) in the final against India remains one of the most iconic performances in the tournament's history.  

Looking ahead, Fakhar expressed his excitement about returning to the international stage.
  
"I started my journey with the Champions Trophy in 2017, and it went really well for me. Now, I am eager for the upcoming edition. The selectors and coaches have shown their faith in me, and I am thankful to be fit and ready for this challenge," he said.  

Fakhar also addressed his role in the team, showcasing his flexibility and commitment.  

"Pakistan has world-class players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Saim Ayub. If the team wants me to bat at number four or five, I’m happy to do so because the team always comes first. That said, I still prefer to open," he added.  

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be hosted by Pakistan. The tournament will feature two groups:  

Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh  
Group B: Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Australia  

Pakistan will open the tournament against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, while the much-anticipated clash against India is slated for February 23 in Dubai.