ISLAMABAD: Lahore Qalandars’ seasoned opener Fakhar Zaman has admitted he is not yet in top form, despite producing back-to-back match-winning performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10.
The left-hander smashed a blistering 76 off 47 deliveries against Karachi Kings yesterday, an innings featuring six boundaries and five sixes, guiding Lahore to a comfortable victory.
Before that, Fakhar notched up a 67-run knock against Quetta Gladiators, earning Player of the Match accolades in both games. Nonetheless, he insists he is still some way off his best.
“After the previous match, I said I wasn’t in full flow. Saying the same today might seem ungrateful, but I genuinely feel I haven’t found my full rhythm yet,” Fakhar admitted during the post-match presentation.
Building solid partnerships
Having recently returned from an injury, the southpaw highlighted the importance of quickly assessing pitch conditions and building solid partnerships at the top.
“The ball wasn’t coming onto the bat very well, so we focused on constructing a steady opening partnership and preserving wickets for the final overs,” he explained.
We felt 170 would be a competitive total, and full credit goes to our bowlers for defending it brilliantly.”
Statistically, Fakhar remains one of the PSL’s standout performers. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history, amassing 2,669 runs from 87 matches at an average of 31.03 and a strike rate of 141.06.
His impressive record includes 21 half-centuries and two centuries – a testament to his consistency over the years.
Fakhar also holds the record for the most runs in a single PSL season, having scored 588 runs in 13 matches during PSL 7.
He averaged 45.23 and struck at 152.72 in that edition, with seven fifties and a century to his name.
