Pakistan’s batting sensation Fakhar Zaman is all set to return to England to replace Corey Anderson in Somerset’s squad.
The left-handed batsman had shot to prominence with his heroics in the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June. After replacing Ahmed Shehzad from the second game of the tournament, the opening batsman churned out impressive performances and capped it off with a stunning century in the final that paved the way for Pakistan’s stupendous 180-run win over arch-rivals India.
Zaman is expected to join the squad soon and will also be part of the team during their final phase of the season. The 27-year-old will be replacing South Africa opener Dean Elgar who will be busy preparing for the home series against Bangladesh.
“It’s great to have Fakhar joining us and in addition, we will have Dean Elgar back for the final three NatWest T20 Blast group stage games,” said Matt Maynard, Somerset’s director of cricket.
The county outfit will be desperately hoping that the Pakistan star’s arrival changes their fortunes, as they are facing a battle to stay in Division One of the county championship. Currently, at eighth, Somerset are 30 points from safety with six games left.
Corey Anderson, meanwhile, had to cut his short his stint to undergo a treatment for a stress fracture in his back. The New Zealand all-rounder, who hit 81 on his debut in the defeat against Surrey, had suffered a double stress fracture two years ago during the Test against England at Lord’s.
The injury had kept him on the sidelines for eight months and has hardly bowled even after regaining fitness.
“I am grateful to Somerset for giving me an opportunity to play cricket in England and only sorry that I have been unable to conclude my stay with them. However, I hope that at some point in the future when my back problem has been resolved that I will be able to return,” Anderson said.