Fakhar Zaman Cleared for National T20 Return; Set to Captain Abbottabad After Injury Layoff

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has recovered from a hamstring injury and will return to competitive cricket in the ongoing National T20 Cup, where he is set to represent and captain the Abbottabad Region cricket team. The left-hander has completed rehabilitation and is available for selection starting with his side’s next match.

Zaman is expected to resume his usual role at the top of the order after regaining full fitness. The tournament’s knockout stage will also see several Pakistan internationals linking up with their regional teams as the competition moves toward its decisive phase.

The opener recently returned to international action during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, although his appearances were limited. He featured in two games late in the tournament, scoring 25 against England national cricket team in the Super Eights before producing a stronger effort with 84 runs in a must-win match against Sri Lanka national cricket team.

Rain Disrupts Fixtures in Peshawar

Meanwhile, persistent rain in Peshawar disrupted the final round of Group A fixtures in the National T20 Cup on Sunday. The weather prevented play in the match between Lahore Whites cricket team and Karachi Whites cricket team at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, with officials abandoning the game before the toss.

The single point awarded to each side was enough to secure their places in the semi-finals. Karachi Whites advanced as group leaders with six points from four matches, while Lahore Whites followed with five.

A second scheduled fixture between Bahawalpur and Peshawar also fell victim to the weather, ending without a ball being bowled. Both teams closed their group-stage campaigns with one win each.

Attention now turns to the remaining Group B contests, where two more teams will confirm their places in the semi-finals alongside Karachi Whites and Lahore Whites. The last-four matches are scheduled to be played in Peshawar on Tuesday.