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Fakhar Zaman Dismisses Retirement Rumours: 'Can Start Playing Within A Month'
Follow UsThe batter was ruled out of the Champions Trophy after sustaining an injury in the tournament opener against New Zealand
Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has dismissed retirement rumours, claiming that he can return to action within a month. Zaman was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as he strained an oblique muscle while chasing the ball during Pakistan's first game of the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi.
He did come out to bat but was clearly in discomfort and managed just 24 off 41, with Pakistan requiring 321 to win the match. Zaman was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq for the remainder of the tournament. "I heard about this [retirement rumours] a lot, and even my friends messaged me about it, but there's nothing to it," he said on PCB Digital.
"The ODI format is my favourite format. Yes, with my thyroid, there was a thing that I could take more time getting back into it. But I want to play T20s, ODIs, even Tests again. As far as my comeback is concerned, I spoke to the doctor, and I can start playing cricket again within the month.
"The doctor has advised me that I can start training again in three weeks. So I think I should be back to playing cricket in a month's time."
This was Zaman's first appearance for Pakistan since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Before that, he had played in the 2023 World Cup. In both tournaments, Pakistan failed to advance beyond the group stages.
He got into trouble with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he had criticised the board for dropping Babar Azam from the Test side for which he was slapped with a show-cause notice as well. However, in the "connection camp" organised by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Zaman was the most outspoken and vented out his feelings.
He was then drafted into the Pakistan side for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan, who are hosting an ICC event for the first time since 1996, are officially out of contention for a place in the semi-final after losing both their opening matches to New Zealand and India.
Their third and final match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was washed out and they consequently finished bottom of Group A.