Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman has said that the recent ( ball-tampering) incident did not affect him at all, adding that it did not impact even “one percent” of his performance. While he prefers opening the innings, he emphasized that the final decision always rests with the captain and coach.

In an exclusive interview with the Express tribune, Fakhar Zaman said that he hasn’t played many matches since his ban was lifted. “In T20 cricket, if you perform well in even 3 or 4 out of 10 matches, that is considered a success. As a professional player, if minor incidents like these begin to affect your performance or personality, survival becomes very difficult. Players go through much bigger challenges in their careers. It would be wrong to say that this recent incident affected my performance even by one percent.”

When asked about his batting position, he said:
“I prefer opening. I’ve done it all my life—club cricket, Pakistan team, PSL. It is my preference, but ultimately the captain and coach know better where a player fits best. If Lahore Qalandars think I perform best as an opener, I play there. If the Pakistan team management thinks someone else is better suited for that role, they adjust me accordingly. You often see such experiments in PSL too. Not all experiments succeed, but players must remain flexible about their batting positions.”

Lahore Qalandars Will Bounce Back

Fakhar said that except for one or two seasons, Lahore Qalandars usually start slowly but recover strongly.
“Half the matches are already done—you’ll see how our team takes flight. We are ready to defend our title. Every team in PSL comes to win, no one is here just to participate. Over the last 4–5 years, Lahore Qalandars have developed a different level of performance, and that has made our mindset more positive.”

He added:
“In the past, when we kept losing, we thought we might never win a trophy. But once we started winning, everything changed. I told Hyderabad Kingsmen players the same thing—you lose because you haven’t experienced winning yet. Once you start winning, confidence builds and victories follow. Lahore’s story is similar. We’ve won three titles, and that has strengthened our belief.”

Shaheen Is a Fantastic Captain

Praising Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar said:
“He is an excellent captain. As a bowler, he appears aggressive, but as a leader, he is very different. A good leader must have that balance. He carries the team along. Winning is easy, but leadership is tested during losses. Even when we aren’t winning, the captain and management maintain a positive environment, which keeps the team united.”

PSL Feels Incomplete Without Crowds

Fakhar said the absence of crowds takes away the charm of the Pakistan Super League.
“It feels strange playing in empty stadiums, and we don’t enjoy it as much. Of course, there are circumstances beyond control. As sportsmen, we aim to inspire the next generation. When young fans watch stars live, it motivates them more. I hope things improve and spectators are allowed back.”

Fitness Has Not Been a Constant Issue

He clarified that fitness hasn’t always been a problem:
“I had a knee injury before the 2022 World Cup, but overall I am fully fit now.”

Focus on Next Year’s World Cup

Fakhar said he doesn’t make long-term plans:
“I’ve spent 10 years like this, and I still don’t set big long-term goals. My focus is on next year’s ODI World Cup. After that, I’ll think about the future. I’m not someone who plans to play for the next 10 years.”

Dismissing rumors about moving to the United States, he said:
“There are always rumors. Even my family sometimes asks me about things they see in the news. I tell them I have no idea—many of these stories aren’t true.”

Retirement Plan Changed

Fakhar revealed he had once considered retiring after the T20 World Cup and had discussed it with selector Aqib Javed:
“But I didn’t get much chances to play in the tournament. So I told him there’s no point in retiring without playing. I changed my decision. Whenever I retire, I will clearly announce it. I want to leave cricket on a high, not be pushed out.”

Fan of Saim Ayub

Fakhar praised Saim Ayub:
“I’m a big fan of his. He is a great player. I always tell him he is capable of achieving much more. In international cricket, failures are more frequent. During the World Cup, he was playing in my position. When I got a chance, both I and Sahibzada Farhan performed well. I’ll keep working on my technique and fitness to secure a permanent place in the team.”

Regret Over Limited Test Career

Fakhar admitted disappointment over playing only three Test matches:
“I wish I had played at least 20–30 Tests. But at that time, there were better red-ball players available, and they deserved their opportunities. I’m happy that deserving players got chances.”

Shamil Hussain Has Great Potential

Fakhar highlighted young talent Shamil Hussain:
“He impressed me in domestic cricket. I even spoke to selector Aqib  Javed about him. I’ve rarely seen such command and aggressive batting in four-day cricket. If he gets consistent opportunities, he can represent Pakistan for a long time in modern cricket.”

Praise for Sahibzada Farhan

Speaking about Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar said:
“He has been playing first-class cricket for a long time. I was one of his earliest fans. I remember watching him in Peshawar and recommending him to selector Tauseef Ahmed for my Domestic team. His ability has always been there. Sometimes players don’t get opportunities or fail initially, and people start doubting them. But Farhan never gave up. He kept scoring heavily in domestic cricket and made a strong comeback. Very few players can hit sixes with such control.”

Personal Life

Fakhar said he doesn’t use social media much but plans to be more active.
He said “My son isn’t just into cricket—he enjoys football, golf, and swimming as well.”