Opener Fakhar likely to be fit for third NZ ODI

ISLAMABAD: Fakhar Zaman who missed the second ODI against New Zealand is likely to get fit by the time crucial third match to be played at University Oval Dunedin on Saturday.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official talking to The News confirmed that Fakhar was fast recovering from side strain that forced him to miss the second one-dayer. “Fakhar has started batting at the nets and is feeling much better than the day when the second one-dayer was played. He had batting practice Thursday and is expected to get another round of nets early Friday.

Pakistan are already trailing 0-2 in the five-match one-day series and another loss would mean New Zealand taking decisive lead in the series.“Fakhar was suffering from side strain not hamstring as was earlier thought. He is improving fast and hopefully would recover in time for the third one-dayer,” the official opined.

Fakhar who played the opening one-dayer hit unbeaten 82 and looked the only visitor batsman who was middling the ball. His role as an opener was missed later in the second one-dayer.

“He is very important to Pakistan chances in the third one-dayer. Since victory is all the more important for Pakistan at Dunedin, every effort would be made to play Fakhar,” the official said.

Apart from Fakhar, Pakistan’s top order batsmen have failed to deliver so far in the series. Azhar Ali and Baber Azam’s form has been of prime concern for the team management. The management hope to see the two getting runs and giving Pakistan much-needed cushion at the top-order.Meanwhile, cloudy weather is expected to greet Pakistan in Dunedin. Though chances of rain are slim, the weather is expected to stay heavy.