Lahore, July 19, 2026: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has said specialist red-ball batters deserve opportunities in the Test team ahead of him, while revealing that an undiagnosed thyroid condition caused him to lose 15 kilograms and affected his fitness before he made a full recovery.
Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Straight Drive podcast alongside former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, the experienced left-hander said he has great affection for Test cricket but believes Pakistan have better options for the longest format.
“To be honest, I like red-ball cricket a lot. But if you ask me what is closest to my heart, it is definitely red-ball cricket. While my favourite format is ODI cricket, I really love red-ball cricket—both playing it and watching it,” Fakhar said.
The 35-year-old, who has played only three Test matches since making his debut, said he had discussed the matter with the coaching staff but felt players with stronger domestic red-ball records deserved selection.
“I believe there are better players than me in the format who have performed much better than I have in domestic cricket and are better suited to the Pakistan team. So, let those guys play. Why should I take their spot?” he said, adding that his decision was an honest assessment rather than a sacrifice.
Fakhar also dismissed the notion that age determines a cricketer’s effectiveness, arguing that batters often reach their peak after the age of 30 due to greater experience and a better understanding of the game.
“I think we emphasise age a bit too much. It’s all about how you carry yourself, how you train and whether you can compete with the youngsters coming into the team,” he said.
The left-handed opener also revealed that he unknowingly played through a thyroid condition that caused him to lose around 15 kilograms before it was diagnosed.
“Because of it, I lost about 15kg. Since I didn’t know, I just kept playing because players don’t give up easily. It severely affected my fitness, and when it finally confined me to bed, I realised something was wrong,” he said.
Fakhar said he has now fully recovered after undergoing rehabilitation at the Pakistan Cricket Board’s National Cricket Academy during a break from international cricket.
“Alhamdulillah, I am perfectly fit now. The illness has been cured. I used those two to three months at the NCA to work hard on my fitness. All my niggles are gone now, and I have started playing again,” he added.
The opener said he deliberately missed recent ODI series against Australia and Bangladesh to avoid aggravating lingering injuries, stressing that his primary focus is the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
“My next target is the 2027 ODI World Cup. I could have played those matches, but I knew the injuries might affect my main goal. That’s why I took the break,” he said.
Fakhar has been one of Pakistan’s most successful white-ball batters since making his international debut in 2013. In 92 One-Day Internationals, he has scored 3,861 runs at an average of 45.42, including 10 centuries and 19 half-centuries, with a highest score of 210 not out. He is best remembered for his match-winning century against India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, which guided Pakistan to its maiden Champions Trophy title.
