n any format, opening the innings is the most difficult job in cricket. Openers need great judgment, a solid defence, concentration and expertise in facing new ball.

Opening partnership always plays a vital role in a team's victory. If openers provide a solid foundation with a reasonable run rate, the middle order can post a competitive total on the board or chase any target.

But if the openers fall cheaply, the middle order batsmen have to consolidate instead of scoring runs with pace.

Opening has remained one of the weakest areas for Pakistan for a very long time, but since Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan took the responsibility in T20 format, Pakistani openers have become one of the most consistent performers in the world.

In the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), four openers -- Fakhar Zaman of Lahore, Multan Sultan's Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan and Karachi Kings' skipper Babar Azam -- are the top scorers.

Fakhar is the most consistent performer in the PSL-7. In his first seven matches, he scored 469 runs with a high strike rate of 165.14, averaging 67 with the help of one hundred against Karachi and fifties against all teams except against Islamabad United (he fell for 38).

If Fakhar continues his performance in the remaining matches, Lahore Qalandars could lift their first title in the Pakistan Super League.

Fakhar, 31, scored a hundred on his debut against Sri Lanka in 2017 and became the first batsman to make four ODI centuries inside his first ten matches.

The Navy sailor turned cricketer established himself as one of the aggressive openers. He was one of the three debutants, along with all-rounder Fahim Ashraf and medium fast bowler Rumman Raees, in the Champions Trophy 2017. Fakhar showed his talent in all the three matches, each of which was virtually a knockout match.

After playing just three ODIs, he gained fame across the cricket world and received applause from such former cricketers as Michael Vaughan and Stephen Fleming.

Vaughan wrote in his tweet: "Where has Fakhar been hiding? He looks like a marvelous striker of a ball!"

Fleming said: "Question has to be asked - where has this Fakhar been hiding?"

His skills and nerves were tested in the Champions Trophy final against India where he scored a match-winning 114 runs in 105 balls and received the Man-of-the-Match award.

The 2018 ODI series against Zimbabwe was the most successful one for Fakhar. In the series, Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq broke the all-time opening partnership record as they scored 704 runs together in the series. Fakhar scored 515 and Imam 395. They shared four century-partnerships in the series.

It was a memorable series for Fakhar as he became the quickest batsman to complete 1000 runs -- in his 18th innings. He surpassed Sir Viv Richards, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Quinton de Kock, and teammate Babar Azam who had completed 1000 runs in their 21st match.

In the fourth match of the series on 20th July, Fakhar became the first Pakistan batsman to score a double century in an ODI. In doing so, he also broke the record of former opener Saeed Anwar, who scored 194 against India in 1997, which was then the highest ever individual total in ODIs.

Fakhar scored his first double hundred in his 17th innings. Rohit and Martin Guptill had scored their double centuries in their 103rd innings.

In the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe, Fakhar and Imam scored 304 runs together. It was the first 300-plus partnership for the first wicket in ODIs. The previous record was held by Sri Lankan openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga who scored 286 against England at Leeds in 2006.

After Fakhar's progress in the limited overs cricket, selectors decided to give him a chance in Test cricket. Fakhar made his Test debut against Australia in Abu Dhabi. He scored 94 and 66 in his debut Test.

In international T20 matches, Fakhar doesn't have an impressive record. He has played 58 innings and scored 1253 at an average of 22.78. He has scored seven fifties. His best -- 91 -- came against Australia in the T20 Tri-Series in Zimbabwe in July 2018.

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