Fakhar Zaman Expected to Recover for Asia Cup

Pakistani left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman is on track to make a full recovery soon. He is likely to participate in the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to commence in the UAE on September 9.

According to a source familiar with the powerful hitter, the injury is not severe, and a swift recovery is anticipated.

“He is presently in Dubai, en route home from the United States, and is expected to arrive tonight. I spoke with him personally, and he indicated that the injury is minor and should only require 10 to 15 days of recovery,” the source stated.

The opening batsman sustained a hamstring injury during the second T20I match against the West Indies in Lauderhill, USA.

This injury prevented him from participating in the third T20I and the subsequent three-match ODI series against the same team, which begins this Friday.

Upon his return, Fakhar will commence his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) located in Lahore.

His return is greatly anticipated, especially considering Pakistan’s need for an experienced player on the slow, spin-friendly pitches expected in the UAE.

This marks another instance this year where Fakhar has been sidelined from a key event due to injury.

Previously, he missed Pakistan’s important ICC Championship Trophy match against India, having suffered an oblique muscle tear during a game against New Zealand. Imam-ul-Haq took his place for the remainder of that competition.

In the recent T20I series against the West Indies, Fakhar displayed promise with the bat, scoring 28 runs from 24 balls at No. 3 in the first match before being dismissed by Shamar Joseph.

In the second game, he scored 20 runs from 19 deliveries, which included two boundaries, before sustaining an injury while fielding. He was absent from the third match, which Pakistan won by 13 runs to secure the series 2-1.

The Asia Cup will feature eight teams, divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s campaign will begin on September 12 against Oman in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated match against India on September 14, and a final group-stage match against the UAE on September 17.

India holds the record for the most successful team in the tournament’s history with eight titles, followed by Sri Lanka with six, and Pakistan with two.

Since 2016, the Asia Cup has alternated between ODI and T20I formats. This edition will be in the T20 format, providing important preparation for the T20 World Cup next year.

Prior to the Asia Cup, Pakistan will also compete in a tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah, featuring Afghanistan and the UAE, from August 29 to September 7.