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Pakistan National Cricket Team star batter Fakhar Zaman, who has recently launched his Alkhidmat Fakhar Zaman Cricket Academy in Lahore, has made a stunning remark on the current Test captain Babar Azam amid the team’s ongoing Test tour of the West Indies.
He has also revealed an interesting difference between his batting style and Babar Azam's approach, which can leave many surprised. The Pakistani star also named his batting idol. Amid this, Shadab Khan explains why India clash overshadowed Pakistan's World Cup campaign.
Fakhar Zaman issues major fitness update after months of hard work at NCA
Fakhar Zaman said that he has spent the last few months at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, working hard on his fitness and batting.
The left-handed batter also revealed that all the small injuries that had been troubling him have now healed, and he has now resumed playing.
Fakhar Zaman told Salman Butt on his podcast on YouTube, “I have been staying here for the last 2-3 months to work on my fitness, and I made the most of it. I have done a lot of work, and I am staying in NCA, working hard on my batting and fitness. Now all my nickels have healed, and I have started playing again.”
Fakhar Zaman rejects age concerns with a bold revelation
The opener also stressed that turning 30 is not the biggest challenge for a cricketer, saying success depends on staying fit, training with full intensity, and matching the energy of younger players. He believes discipline and dedication are far more important than age.
He also revealed that Misbah-ul-Haq told him that he believed he was still capable of playing international cricket even at the age of 42, but he retired too early. Earlier, Jason Gillespie calls Aaqib Javed a 'muppet', rejects claims over Pakistan coaching tenure.
The senior batter added, “What should you focus more on after 30? What makes you better? I don't hide anywhere in the field, nor does anyone hide me. I go to hot spots everywhere. I don't have much to do with my age. How do you carry yourself? How do you train? Do you compete with the youngsters? I think these things matter a lot.”
Fakhar Zaman exposes Babar Azam's cautious batting mindset with stunning revelation
Meanwhile, Fakhar also opened up about Babar Azam's batting mindset during team discussions. He revealed that Babar usually prefers a careful approach, suggesting the batters slow down and avoid unnecessary risks.
However, Fakhar admitted that he doesn’t follow the captain’s style. The Pakistan star shared, “Whenever we sit in a gathering, Babar says, 'When you hit a shot,' he says, 'You have hit one; now take a little more caution.' I hit the next one too.”
مصباح الحق 42 سال کی عمر میں بھی کھیل سکتا تھالیکن میں نے جلدی ریٹائرمنٹ لے لی۔بابر اعظم کے ساتھ جب کھیل رہا ہوتا ہوں ایک چھکا جب لگ جاتا ہے وہ کہتے ہیں اب سنبھل کر کھیلو۔مگر میں اگلی ہی گیند پر پھر مار دیتا تھا۔فخر زمان#PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/6F6xT5BPw2
— Kiran Khan (@HelloKiranKhan) July 19, 2026
Fakhar Zaman reveals AB de Villiers as the biggest inspiration behind his fearless batting
The aggressive opener also revealed that legendary South African batter AB de Villiers has always been his biggest inspiration, and he has tried to bring the same fearless intent into his own batting.
Zaman signed off by saying, “I really like AB de Villiers and his style. I felt that about his batting, like, I wish I could be like him. So, when I feel that I can hit the ball, I just do it.”
FAKHAR ZAMAN 🗣️
— Mian Ahmad (@aHmADmIaN150) July 19, 2026
"I got 2–3 months to work on my fitness, and I made the most of it. I've overcome all my fitness issues, and I'm now staying at the NCA, working hard on my batting and fitness.
My target now is the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup." pic.twitter.com/725wyMoGYL
