Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman came a global sensation when he strokes a match-winning hundred against arch-rivals India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Zaman is the only Pakistani cricketer to score an ODI double-hundred (vs Zimbabwe in 2018). And, as I write this, I can’t help but wonder what would have been, had Zaman not taken the decision to pursue his dream of becoming a cricketer?
Zaman is fondly referred to as ‘Fauji’ by his teammates and that is because he is a former Pakistan Navy sailor, a career that he took up due to the insistence of his father.
Fakhar was incredibly obsessed with cricket during his childhood days, something his father thought was misplaced. His father eventually sent him to Karachi to finish his schooling post which he joined the Navy.
Zaman, however, was unwavering for his love for the game and at the age of 22, he finally left his job to pursue his dream. The left-handed opener started representing local outfits and gradually came into limelight after emerging as one of the leading run-scorer in Pakistan Cup, Qaid-e-Azam Trophy, and Pakistan Super League before a national call-up came in 2017.