Champions Trophy: If India had come to Pakan, we would have given them a grander welcome, says Fakhar Zaman | Cricket News

Pakan opening batter Fakhar Zaman said he would have loved to play India in Pakan in the Champions Trophy.
Fakhar Zaman said he was delighted with the kind of warm hospitality in India during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“Yes, we will definitely miss (playing in India),” Fakhar Zaman said told Sports Tak.
“We enjoyed a lot during our visit there for the ODI World Cup 2023. We were delighted with the kind of support and the hospitality we got there. The locals gave us a warm welcome when we went to Hyderabad for the first time, they all showered their love on us. Yes, we will miss it all,” Zaman said.
Pakan will take on India on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakan’s Fakhar Zaman leaves the field after losing his wicket during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match between Ireland and Pakan at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Fla., Sunday, June 16, 2024. AP/PTI
“If India had come to Pakan, we would have given them an even grander welcome and hospitality but they are not coming. It’s fine, but we’re excited to play against them in Dubai,” Zaman added.
The 34-year-old swashbuckling opener, who has been discarded the Pakan selectors for his tweet in support of Babar Azam after the latter was dropped from the Pakan squad for the second Test against England in October, is likely to replace injured Saim Ayub for the Champions Trophy.
Fakhar is currently playing in the ILT20 league, where he is featuring for the 2023 runners-up Desert Vipers. ”
“A 100%, I will play for Pakan (again),” Fakhar, 34, told the Vipers Voices podcast.
“Actually, many people do not know about that, but after the T20 World Cup I got sick and because of the medical condition I was not fit, so I was not a part of the team.
“But now I [have] recovered 100%, and you will see me in the next white-ball series which Pakan play.”
Incidentally, it was in the 2017 Champions Trophy that Fakhar shot to prominence with a title-winning 114 against India in the final at The Oval in London.

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