KARACHI: After his brilliant all-round performance that helped Pakistan ‘A’ win the one-day series against England Lions in Dubai earlier this year, Fakhar Zaman dreams of representing the senior national side.

The 26-year-old, who is a big fan of South African batting great A.B. de Villiers, is one of the brightest batting prospects to emerge on the domestic horizon despite being laid low by a severe bout of jaundice in 2014. Fakhar is the most popular cricketer in his hometown of Mardan after the celebrated Younis Khan — Pakistan’s highest run-getter in Test cricket.

In the recently held Pakistan Cup in Faisalabad, Fakhar played a key role in helping the Younis-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clinch the title by scoring a century (115) against Punjab in the final at the Iqbal Stadium.

Fakhar is currently attending a training Pakistan ‘A’ camp which started in Lahore on Monday in preparation for next month’s tour of England where they would play two four-day matches against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and a one-day series versus England Lions.

Talking to Dawn on Saturday, Fakhar said his next target was to continue performing at the top of his game so that he could emulate his mentor Younis by joining the senior team.

“No matter how much you achieve in life, the dream of representing Pakistan is something I want to cherish when the time come,” Fakhar said from Lahore.

“Cricket is not only my bread and butter but a great passion for which I had to endure the wrath of my eldest brother [Gohar Zaman who is a school principal in Nowshera] who always wanted me to focus on studies rather play the game.”

Fakhar’s story is fascinating. Born and bred in Mardan, he came to Karachi quite young after passing a Navy academy entry test. During his days there, one day he came across Nazim Khan, an instructor who spotted the talented young cricketer and recommended him to KCCA Zone-VI official Azam Khan who along with (former first-class player) Zafar Ahmed.

It was a decisive moment in Fakhar’s life as there was no looking back from then onwards. In four successive matches for the zonal side in the 2008 PCB Inter-district U-19 competition, Fakhar racked up half-centuries and another five when former Pakistan paceman and Karachi region head coach Jalaluddin asked him to play in practice matches for selection in the regional U-19 team.

The first-class debut followed in January 2013 for Karachi Blues with Fakhar making 79 and 83 at the Multan Cricket Stadium against a Multan bowling line-up that included spinner Zulfiqar Babar (who made his Test debut later that year against South Africa).

But his career then received a big setback when he contracted jaundice in 2014 and was sidelined for some months.

Fakhar recalls: “It was the most depressing moment of my life. I almost felt lifeless. When I was fit enough to resume playing, I was extremely weak and didn’t have energy to even run.

“But Rashid Qureshi [a PCB trainer from Karachi] played a major role in reviving my career by working tirelessly during the rehabilitation period to speed up my reflexes. I’m here because of Rashid’s efforts.”

Fakhar believes the turning point of his life came in 2014 when Younis advised him to move back to Mardan and play for Abbottabad and invited him to join Habib Bank.

“I considered a lot before making up my to return to my hometown. On Younis’ recommendation, Habib Bank signed me. I think one should always make the move when the time is right and Younis spotted something which I couldn’t at the time.

“Fortunately, a run of consistent scores brought me to the notice of the national selectors and I was picked for Pakistan ‘A’ last year.”

Fakhar fondly remembers how he came to take five wickets in the series-deciding one-dayer against England Lions.

“Being an occasional left-arm spinner, I was not supposed to bowl. But when England Lions were threatening to get a big total with four down, I pleaded with the captain [Junaid Khan] to give an over or two.

“At first Junaid scorned at the idea. But I insisted that I won’t concede more than five runs. Luckily, I took a wicket [Liam Dawson] to end a partnership of 106 and also got rid of Sam Billings [for 89] on way to taking five wickets for 27 runs.

“It turned out be a memorable occasion for me because I then scored 62 to help Pakistan ‘A’ win the series 3-2.”

Speaking of his development as a player, Fakhar owes his success to Taimur Khan, a UK-based psychologist.

“Without his counselling and guidance, I would never have achieved what I have as a cricketer. Taimur is the inspirational force for me. I hope to see him if I’m selected for the ‘A’ team,” he quipped.

On his camaraderie with Younis and Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar is grateful for their support and words of encouragement.

“Younis is the perfect role model for me because we all look up to him for advice. Ahmed was great to have as one’s partner. He was always cajoling me to keep going during the Pakistan Cup.

“Younis too was tremendous when I lost concentration in my 80s [during the final] but he told me to keep it easy and simple. It worked no doubt. Good words can lift your game.”

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2016