Interesting facts about navy sailor turned cricketer, Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman blazed Pakistan’s first double century in a one-day cricket international in a record 244-run victory against Zimbabwe.

Zaman’s unbeaten 210 off 156 balls guided Pakistan to their highest ODI total of 399-1 after Pakistan won their first toss of the series and elected to bat overnight on Friday.

Zaman smashed 24 fours and five sixes. In the series, he has already scored two centuries and a half-century with a match remaining on Sunday.

Since he got to Zimbabwe three weeks ago, he has scored 708 runs in just nine innings, averaging over 55 in the T20 tri-series and a whopping 430 across the four ODIs played so far, being dismissed just once.

Key facts about Fakhar Zaman:

• Zaman was interested in cricket from childhood but his father didn’t want him to become a cricketer. In 2007, Zaman joined the Pakistan Navy as a sailor as decided by his father.

• He was identified by his navy coach, Azam Khan, who encouraged him to pursue professional cricket.

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• In 2013, he left his naval career to pursue this dream and began appearing for regional outfits. He became the second-highest run scorer in the 2016 Pakistan Cup.

• Zaman was picked by the Lahore Qalandars side for the 2017 Pakistan Super League. He was soon noticed by Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur during a training camp in Lahore, following which he earned a call-up for the national side.
• In March 2017, Zaman made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Pakistan against the West Indies.
• In the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, Zaman went on to score his maiden ODI century, and was adjudged man of the match.

• Amongst his teammates, he is known by the nickname ‘fauji’ (soldier)
• On July 20, 2018, Zaman became the first batsman for Pakistan to score a double century in fourth ODI against Zimbabwe, finishing 210 not out.