Fakhar Zaman has revealed that an unexpected thyroid condition caused him to lose around 15 kilograms and significantly affected his fitness. After recovering and playing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Pakistan opener chose to take an extended break to address recurring injuries. He now has one clear priority: returning fully fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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| Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman during his international cricket career. |
Fakhar Zaman has finally provided a detailed explanation for his recent absence from Pakistan ODI side, revealing that a thyroid condition, major weight loss and a series of injuries played a significant role in his fitness struggles.
The experienced left handed opener missed six recent ODIs, including three against Australia and three against Bangladesh. However, Fakhar said the time away from international cricket allowed him to focus on recovery rather than rushing back before he was fully ready.
A Health Issue Changed Fakhar Zaman Fitness
Fakhar explained that regular cricketers often deal with minor injuries and physical problems. However, his situation became more complicated after doctors diagnosed him with a thyroid condition.
The illness reportedly caused him to lose approximately 15 kilograms, which had a major impact on his physical condition and ability to maintain peak performance.
For a professional cricketer, such a dramatic change in body weight can affect strength, endurance and overall match fitness. Fakhar continued playing through the difficult period, but the illness eventually became serious enough to leave him bedridden.
Recovery Came Before His Return to International Cricket
Despite the setback, Fakhar refused to give up on his career. He continued working toward recovery and eventually regained enough fitness to feature in the T20 World Cup 2026.
However, the tournament also added further physical strain. The Pakistan opener revealed that he picked up additional injuries during the competition, including problems he had already been carrying for some time.
That combination of illness and recurring injuries forced him to take a more cautious approach to his return.
Why Fakhar Zaman Missed Six ODIs
Fakhar absence became particularly noticeable when Pakistan played recent ODI series against Australia and Bangladesh.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier confirmed that Fakhar was unavailable for the Australia ODI series while continuing his rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.
Rather than treating the missed matches as a setback, Fakhar used the break to focus on long-term fitness.
He spent around two to three months at the National Cricket Academy, where he worked extensively on his conditioning and recovery.
Fakhar Chose Long Term Fitness Over Short Term Selection
The Pakistan opener made it clear that he could have attempted to play some of the matches he missed.
However, he believed that returning too early could have turned minor physical problems into more serious injuries. That risk could have threatened his larger objective of playing in the next ODI World Cup.
For Fakhar, missing a few international matches became a calculated decision designed to protect the rest of his career.
The 2027 ODI World Cup Is Now Fakhar Main Goal
At 36, Fakhar Zaman is no longer looking too far into the future. Instead, he is focusing on one specific target: the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The tournament has become the central objective of his current fitness programme.
Rather than concentrating on every upcoming series, Fakhar wants to rebuild his body properly and return when he feels completely ready. His decision to spend months working on fitness reflects the importance he places on remaining available for the biggest ODI tournament ahead.
Pakistan Could Still Benefit From a Fully Fit Fakhar
Fakhar remains one of Pakistan most experienced attacking openers. His aggressive batting style can change the momentum of a match during the opening overs, making his fitness an important issue for Pakistan ODI plans.
The PCB decision to keep him in rehabilitation before the Australia series also underlined the importance of managing his recovery carefully.
Pakistan ODI setup is already moving toward the 2027 World Cup cycle, and Fakhar experience could become valuable if he returns to full fitness and form.
Fakhar Zaman Message Is Clear: Recovery Comes First
Fakhar latest comments offer a different perspective on his recent absence.
Instead of treating every missed match as a lost opportunity, the batter appears to have prioritized his long term availability. After dealing with a serious health issue, significant weight loss and further injuries, he now wants to make sure his body is ready for the demands of international cricket.
His immediate challenge will be to regain full fitness, maintain consistency and prove that he can remain available for Pakistan ODI campaign.
For now, Fakhar Zaman has one goal above everything else the 2027 ODI World Cup.
And if his recovery continues successfully, Pakistan could once again have one of its most dangerous left handed openers available for the tournament.