Just when it seemed Fakhar Zaman was getting a chance to re-establish himself, fate stepped in again, this time in the form of a hamstring injury that’s cut short his tour of the West Indies.
The left-hander pulled up while fielding during the 19th over of the second T20I in Lauderhill. What was initially thought to be a minor niggle turned out to be a hamstring strain, confirmed by the PCB medical panel following an immediate assessment.
Fakhar was ruled out of the final T20I and will now return home on 4 August to begin rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
The numbers paint a worrying picture
Let’s be honest, it wasn’t just the injury that raised eyebrows. Fakhar’s recent run of form hasn’t inspired much confidence.
In the series against Bangladesh, he registered scores of 1, 44, and 8. Not exactly a string of match-winning performances.
Against the West Indies, he showed glimpses of his aggressive self, scoring 28 and 20 in the first two T20Is, but couldn’t quite kick on. And now, sidelined again, he’s left with more questions than answers.
Another injury in a critical year
This isn’t the first time injury has derailed his progress this year. Fans will remember the oblique muscle injury that hit him during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.
Despite being in visible discomfort, Fakhar battled through to score 24 off 41 balls before falling to Michael Bracewell. That knock turned out to be his only contribution in the tournament, as the injury ruled him out of the rest of the campaign.
What next for Fakhar Zaman?
At 35, Fakhar isn’t getting younger. And in a format where Pakistan is blessed with several young, dynamic top-order options, competition is fierce. With players like Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan making strong statements, the window for Fakhar’s return is narrowing.
His return to full fitness and form will now depend on a thorough rehab programme at the NCA. But one can’t help but wonder: is this the beginning of the end for the swashbuckling opener who once lit up the Champions Trophy 2017 final with that unforgettable hundred?
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