Fakhar Zaman: Pakistan batsman set for Glamorgan T20 Blast debut after visa delay

Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman will make his delayed county debut for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast away to Surrey on Thursday, 25 July, the day after arriving in the UK.

The left-hander, 29, is in line to play at least six matches, after a visa delay saw him miss the first two games.

Fakhar hit half-centuries in Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy wins over England and Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens.

"I have so many good memories of the Cardiff ground," he told BBC Sport.

"That was my first tour with the Pakistan team, we played two games here and won both including the semi-final."

In 2019 he featured in Pakistan's T20 match against England in Cardiff and the 50-over series against England ahead of the World Cup, where he was a regular at the top of the order.

Fakhar knows Glamorgan captain Colin Ingram from the Pakistan Super League, but is not concerned by playing alongside other new team-mates he has barely met in front of a sell-out crowd of 23,000 at the Oval.

"We are professionals, we need to adapt to any situation and this is really good for me because I signed for Somerset in 2017 but I didn't make it because of national duty, so I'm very happy to be here," he said.

"I like to play at the Oval, so I hope it will go well. County cricket is a dream for cricketers and I would love to play more."

Glamorgan must wait on Australia's Ashes squad selection before firming up plans for the rest of the T20, with Mitch Marsh set to join up with Glamorgan if he does not make the tour party.

His brother Shaun is recovering from a broken arm, while Marnus Labuschagne could also be interested in returning after a successful Championship campaign.

Glamorgan lost their opening T20 game at home against Somerset and were saved by the rain away to Gloucestershire in a draw.