Islamabad, Feb 10: Fakhar Zaman made a stunning return to international cricket, smashing 84 off 69 balls against New Zealand in the first ODI of the Tri-Series in Lahore. His aggressive knock reaffirmed his status as Pakistan’s most reliable opener, particularly against top-tier cricketing nations.
A recent stat from PakPassion highlights that Fakhar has scored the most runs by any opener against South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia, and India since 2020. His 1,225 runs in 21 innings, averaging 64.5 with a strike rate of 96.6, put him ahead of elite openers like David Warner, Travis Head, Quinton de Kock, and Shubman Gill.
Here’s a comparison of the top ODI openers against cricket’s elite teams since 2020:
| Batter | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 21 | 1225 | 64.5 | 96.6 |
| David Warner | 28 | 1105 | 39.5 | 103.0 |
| Travis Head | 18 | 1048 | 69.9 | 125.5 |
| Quinton de Kock | 25 | 1027 | 43.8 | 93.0 |
| Shubman Gill | 20 | 958 | 56.4 | 104.0 |
With Saim Ayub ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Fakhar’s role at the top becomes even more crucial. His experience in high-pressure tournaments and ability to take on world-class bowling attacks make him a vital asset for Pakistan as they prepare to challenge for the title on home soil.
