NEW DELHI: Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman has put an end to fresh talk about his international career, dismissing claims that he is preparing to retire from T20 cricket or relocate his family to the United States. The speculation had intensified on social media, with rumours also pointing to fitness issues as a possible reason for a possible step back from T20Is.
Quick facts
- Fakhar Zaman turns 36 on Friday.
- He is currently serving a two-match ban in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) tied to ball-tampering charges.
- Rumours claimed he had moved his family to the USA and was considering retiring from T20 internationals.
- People close to Fakhar have rejected the retirement and relocation claims and said he is not leaving Pakistan.
- Pakistan’s next scheduled T20I is in October against Sri Lanka; the next ODI assignment is a home series versus Australia in May-June.
The latest chatter also drew from suggestions around recurring injury concerns, including references to hormone-related problems. Those reports, however, were quickly pushed back by connections to the player, who said Fakhar has already communicated his intentions clearly to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selection setup.
“Fakhar is not retiring at all, and he has conveyed this to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selection committee. He is also not leaving Pakistan,” sources close to the cricketer said.
On-field evidence from recent international action has also been cited as a reason the rumours don’t add up. Fakhar featured in two matches at the T20 World Cup, striking 25 and 84 runs with the aggressive intent he is known for, without any clear signs of discomfort during his spells.
He later withdrew from Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour due to fitness concerns, and that development was used to fuel further speculation about him prioritising the 50-over format over T20 internationals. Still, the broader international schedule suggests he is not in a position to disappear from T20 cricket immediately, with Pakistan not slated to play a T20I until October.
Pakistan’s next T20I is scheduled for October, when they host Sri Lanka. Their following ODI engagement is set for a home series against Australia in May-June.
Long-term targets
Despite the noise, Fakhar’s stated goals appear firmly focused on the future. Sources said he is working toward playing the 2028 T20I World Cup and is also aiming to represent Pakistan at the Los Angeles Olympics, with the expectation that the team could earn a berth alongside India.
For now, the immediate storyline remains the disciplinary matter affecting his domestic participation. Fakhar is serving a two-match ban after ball-tampering allegations linked to a Lahore Qalandars contest against Karachi Kings on March 29.
He had denied the charges before match referee Roshan Mahanama, but his explanation was not accepted. A three-member PCB committee subsequently upheld the ban after holding a hearing.
With his short-term availability shaped by that suspension and his longer-term plans reportedly centred on major multi-format tournaments, Fakhar’s camp is clearly aiming to close the door on retirement talk—even as he prepares through the fitness work that has become part of the current conversation.
