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Fakhar Zaman has revealed he almost missed the 2017 Champions Trophy Final against India and how he had jokingly told Shadab Khan he’d love to get out on a no-ball.
In the CT 2017 final, Fakhar Zaman, went on to smash 114 off 106 deliveries to help Pakistan set a commanding target of 339. (Image: X)
Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has revealed that before the 2017 Champions Trophy final, he had ‘randomly’ told teammate Shadab Khan that he’d ‘love to’ get out on a no-ball someday.
The exact thing happened in that final against India at the Oval, when he was caught on just three against Jasprit Bumrah and it turned out to be a no-ball. And though he did not feel he was at his most fluent, the left-hander smashed a brilliant 114 off 106 balls to set Pakistan up for a huge 338-run first-innings score.
“I had been talking to Shadab and somebody got out on a no-ball when we were watching a game. I said ‘I’d love to get out to a no-ball’. I just said it randomly because whenever you get out, I always look to the umpire hoping they will say ‘wait while we check the no-ball’ and nothing happens and I end up back in the dressing room,” Fakhar told ICC, as quoted by IANS.
“The same thing happened in that game, I got out to a no-ball. Kumar Dharmasena was the third umpire and I was going out. From the boundary, he said ‘wait there’. I was halfway back and when I saw that, I was 100% sure it was a no-ball. After that, I thought maybe it’s my day.”
India managed just 158 runs in reply, losing by 180 runs to hand the Men in Green one of their greatest triumphs.
How Fakhar Zaman almost missed the CT 2017 Final
In a reveal that would break the hearts of some Indian fans, Fakhar also spoke about how he almost missed the final and had to be ‘forced’ to play by the coach, Mickey Arthur.
“I was not well the day before the game. I even talked to Mickey and said I wouldn’t be able to play the game. He said you go out there and get a duck first ball, it doesn’t matter, you have to play that game. I managed to play but I remember that I didn’t sleep well that night and he forced me to play. I’m pleased he did!”
Fakhar is back in the Pakistani team for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He was out of favor till recent times but an injury to young opener Saim Ayub opened the gates for him again.
India and Pakistan play each other on February 23 in Dubai.