The Big Bash League team, Brisbane Heat have signed the Pakistani top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman for a three-match stint in January.
Fakhar will replace the English batsman Tom Abell, who suffered a knee injury. The injury has been confirmed to be more serious than initially indicated. After playing two games, Abell has returned to the United Kingdom to recover from a lateral ligament injury.
Fakhar’s first game for the Heat is scheduled for January 6 against the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong. The southpaw has 175 T20 games under his belt with a career strike rate of 132.96. To date, he has played 64 T20 Internationals, 53 One Day Internationals, and three Tests.
The top-order batsman became the first Pakistani cricketer to score a double century in an ODI in July 2018. He achieved that milestone against Zimbabwe.
Fakhar scored 193 against South Africa in an ODI game last year, the highest individual score while chasing in the 50-over format fixture. The explosive innings helped the southpaw surpass Shane Watson’s 185 against Bangladesh. With those two scores, he is one of only two players in ODI history (along with Rohit Sharma) to have two 190+ scores.
Fakhar gives credit to the legendary batsman, Brendon McCullum for his development. The two individuals worked together at the Lahore Qalanders in the Pakistan Super League.
Due to Queensland border restrictions, Fakhar will miss the Heat’s home games on January 8 and 12. He will play interstate on January 6, 16, and 19, as well as possibly finals.
Brisbane Heat coach Wade Seccombe said, “It’s great to have a player of his class available for us at relatively short notice. We’re naturally disappointed to lose Tom though and wish him a speedy recovery back home in England. Like all the clubs, we certainly value the commitment the international players make to come to play in the BBL and it was a real shame to lose Tom so early in the tournament.
He added, “We are pleased he will be with us for what is shaping as key games. He is a classy performer who gets the job done in the teams he has played for so we are confident he can settle in quickly.”
Brisbane Heat will lock horns with Hobart Hurricanes in an epic New Year’s Day clash.