Stats Prove Fakhar Zaman’s Dominance Against Top Sides

Pakistan’s explosive opener Fakhar Zaman returned to international cricket with a bang against New Zealand in the first ODI of the Tri-Series in Lahore. The left-hander showed no signs of rust as he bludgeoned his way to a 69‑ball 84 and emerged as the home side’s most impactful player with the bat.

His performance further establishes him as the most prolific batter against cricket’s elite nations over the past five years. According to a stat provided by PakPassion here, no opening batter from any nation has scored more runs against South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia, and India since 2020—reinforcing his value as Pakistan’s premier ODI batter.

Fakhar Zaman’s numbers place him ahead of some of the game’s finest, including David Warner, Travis Head, Quinton de Kock, and Shubman Gill. His staggering 1,225 runs in 21 innings, at an average of 64.5 and a strike rate of 96.6, showcase his consistency and ability to dominate the best bowling attacks in world cricket at any stage of the game.

By outperforming some of the finest openers of his generation, Fakhar has proven his stature as Pakistan’s most reliable opener in recent years.

Most ODI Runs by Openers (Against SA, ENG, NZ, AUS, IND Since 2020)

With Saim Ayub ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Fakhar Zaman’s return to steady the ship at the top of the order is even more critical for Pakistan. His ability to take on quality bowling attacks, coupled with his experience in high-pressure tournaments, makes him the ideal player to lead Pakistan’s top order.

With the Champions Trophy just days away, Pakistan will rely heavily on Fakhar’s explosiveness and consistency to counter the world’s best teams. If his recent form is anything to go by, he could be the key to Pakistan’s title ambitions on home soil.