Malik’s words breathed new life in our team: Fakhar Zaman

Opening batsman hails veteran for his inspirational talk after India defeat

Opening batsman and hero of ICC Champions Trophy final Fakhar Zaman has credited veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik for boosting the team's moral with an inspirational speech following their defeat against India in the tournament opener.

Fakhar, who was given a grand welcome in Peshawar on his return from England on Tuesday, divulged the details of a long team meeting at a time when the chips were down.

“After that defeat against India, we had a long meeting,” said Fakhar while talking to the media. “There, Shoaib Malik said things that breathed new life into our time. It was in that meeting where the seniors, the captain and the coach decided that we will play the rest of the tournament in a different manner.”

The 27-year-old Fakhar, who scored his maiden ton in the biggest match of the event, also revealed that he enjoyed batting against top Indian spinner Ravichandaran Ashwin. “It’s always pleasing to score against a world-class bowler, so it really felt nice when I was hitting boundaries on Ashwin’s bowling.”

Fakhar further said how the team was eager to give an early Eid present to the nation. “The day before the final we were all thinking about giving an Eid present to our nation by winning,” he said. “So it’s really pleasing to win the trophy.”

Fakhar finished the tournament as Pakistan’s highest and overall sixth highest run-scorer with 252 runs in just four innings at an average of 63 and strike rate of 113.