Jasprit Bumrah's No-Ball Made Me, Says Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman was batting on just 3 in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy when he edged a Jasprit Bumrah delivery to MS Dhoni. But replays soon showed that the bowler had overstepped, giving the batsman a reprieve. From there on, there was no looking back for the Pakistan batsman as he took the Indian bowlers to cleaners to compile his maiden ODI century.

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Zaman scored a magnificent 114 in the title-decider to propel his team to 338. In reply, India were all out for just 158 as Pakistan won the Champions Trophy for the first time. Since that knock, Zaman has gone from strength to strength and has now become one of the batting mainstays of the team.  The left-handed batsman, who will be looking to replicate his Champions Trophy success in the upcoming World Cup, has said that the no-ball in the final ‘made him’.

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“That no-ball made me. I had a dream before the final that I will be dismissed off a no-ball and it proved to be true. Initially, I was very sad as I had promised my parents to do well in that match,”  Fakhar Zaman told PTI.

Zaman further admitted that the Champions Trophy heroics made him a popular face but is well aware of the responsibilities that came with it.

“I was very lucky and ever since that century I have become famous. But with that fame comes responsibility and I have become more mature and now I realise the importance of playing my part. That will be my top priority in the World Cup,” he said.

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Zaman, meanwhile, has hit the form at the right time. In the last two ODIs against England, the opening batsman played knocks of 138 and 57 runs respectively. Pakistan will be hopeful that their star opener lives up to the expectations and delivers in the World Cup. Pakistan will open their campaign against West Indies on May 31.