Fakhar Zaman
Player Information
Player Overview
Fakhar Zaman is a Pakistan batter who plays for Desert Vipers in the DP World ILT20. Born in Mardan on 10 April 1990, he is a left-handed batter and can also bowl left-arm orthodox spin. Fakhar was part of the Desert Vipers squad that won the ILT20 title in Season 4 and has returned for the franchise’s title defence in Season 5. Desert Vipers secured him again at the player auction held on 1 October 2026.
Playing Style
Fakhar has spent much of his international white-ball career as an opening batter. His approach allows him to attack during the powerplay, when only two fielders are permitted outside the inner circle. His left-handed batting also gives a team a different option at the top of the order. While batting is his main role, the Pakistan Cricket Board lists him as a left-arm orthodox bowler. His bowling has been used only occasionally compared with his work as a specialist batter.
Career Background
Fakhar’s rise to international cricket followed strong performances in Pakistan’s domestic game. ICC records show that he scored 663 runs in the 2016–17 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season before earning opportunities in the Pakistan Super League and then the national side. He made his T20I debut against West Indies in 2017 and made his ODI debut during the same year. His first major ICC tournament quickly became an important part of his career.
Major International Achievements
Fakhar played one of his best-known innings in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final against India at The Oval. He scored 114 from 106 balls and was named Player of the Match as Pakistan won the final by 180 runs. In July 2018, he made an unbeaten 210 against Zimbabwe, becoming the first Pakistan batter to score an ODI double century. During the same series, he reached 1,000 ODI runs in 18 innings, which was the fastest anyone had reached the milestone at that time.
Which Team Does Fakhar Zaman Play for in ILT20?
Fakhar Zaman plays for Desert Vipers in the DP World ILT20. He joined the Vipers for Season 4 through the 2025 player auction and was part of the squad that went on to win the championship. Desert Vipers signed him again at the Season 5 auction in October 2026. The official ILT20 Season 5 squad announcement lists Fakhar among the Vipers’ auction signings alongside Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan.
Fakhar Zaman in the ILT20 Season 4 Final
Fakhar opened the batting for Desert Vipers in the Season 4 final against MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium on 4 January 2026. He scored 20 from 15 balls, hitting two fours and one six. Desert Vipers recovered from losing both openers in the fourth over to reach 182 for 4. They then bowled MI Emirates out for 136 and won by 46 runs, securing the franchise’s first ILT20 championship.
Fakhar Zaman in ILT20 Season 5
Fakhar Zaman returns to Desert Vipers as they begin Season 5 as defending champions. The tournament starts on 21 November 2026, with the Vipers facing MI Emirates in Dubai in a repeat of the previous season’s final. Because Season 5 has not started yet, there are no Season 5 batting statistics for Fakhar to report. Any runs, averages or strike rates for the new campaign should only be added after he has played matches in the tournament.