Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman joins CPL

The Men in Green won the Champions Trophy for the first time earlier this year. Only the most optimistic Pakistani fans were hoping for the green shirts’ triumph after they were defeated by arch-rivals India in the first match. However, they managed to take a U-turn and in the final, bulldozed that same Indian team. The man who was the architect behind the great victory is the opener, Fakhar Zaman.

Born in Mardan in the North-West frontier province, the 27-year-old lad was an unexpected hero for the Pakistani team. The Lahore Qanandars cricketer has played just 4 matches for his nation but has achieved to score a couple of half-centuries and a century. The hundred came against India in the final match of Champions Trophy 2017. The rest of the batters capitalised on the foundation laid by Zaman and managed to put up a massive total. It was too humongous to chase for the Indian team as they crumbled like a can of tin under the pressure of Pakistani seamers.

Right after his fiery match-winning knock, many franchises from all over the world are trying to get his signature on the contract. The Pakistan Navy man has now agreed to feature in the West Indian franchise based T20 competition the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed Fakhar the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the tournament.

Many Pakistanis in CPL

The fifth edition of the tournament will commence from the 4th of August. Till date, 11 Pakistani cricketers have been drafted to play in the tournament. Veteran Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik will don the jersey of Barbados Tridents alongside national teammate Wahab Riaz. Another veteran Sohail Tanvir will play for Guyana Amazon Warriors. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Sami will play for Jamaica Tallawahs.

Kamran Akmal will play alongside the likes of David Miller and Lasith Malinga in St Lucia Zouks. Shadab Khan will represent Shah Rukh Khan owned franchise Trinbago Knight Riders. Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam will also feature in the competition.