In a major setback to Pakistan Cricket Team, its star batter, Fakhar Zaman, is planning to take retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket after the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. According to Pakistan news outlet Samaa TV, his decision is influenced by ongoing health issues, particularly hyperthyroidism.
Doctors have advised him to rest for about two and a half months, and he has already been out of action for nearly ten weeks due to his health concerns.
Adding to his struggles, recently Zaman was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an injury after the game against New Zealand. Further reports indicate that he is unhappy with selection matters, especially regarding No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for playing in leagues.
Reports suggest that Fakhar Zaman is thinking about moving his family abroad, indicating big personal and professional changes ahead. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not officially commented on his possible retirement from ODIs.
Zaman himself has not confirmed the reports shared by Samaa TV. If it's true, then this would be a major setback for the Pakistan cricket team, especially after their disappointing Champions Trophy performance.
Fakhar Zaman's ODI performance for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, 34, has played 86 ODIs, scoring 3,651 runs with a top score of 210 and an average of 46.21. His unforgettable innings of 114 runs against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory, securing the title by defeating their arch-rivals.
Pakistan ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025
Meanwhile, New Zealand has secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals after defeating Bangladesh by five wickets in a key Group A match. Their victory also resulted in Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, as the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage.
Zaman’s future in international cricket remains uncertain, with his health issues and dissatisfaction with cricketing matters playing a major role in his decision-making process.
