Fakhar Zaman recently addressed the media after Pakistan’s intense showdown against New Zealand in the fourth T20I match. Despite a valiant effort, Pakistan fell short by a mere four runs in their pursuit of New Zealand’s target of 178 runs.
The game saw Pakistan finishing at 174/8, with their chase ending in the last over despite a commendable performance from all-rounder Imad Wasim.
Reflecting on the match, Fakhar Zaman candidly admitted to the team’s errors during the game. “We made a lot of mistakes today; we didn’t get a good start either. Then I and Iftikhar almost made the match,” Fakhar remarked during the post-match conference.
Fakhar stressed the significance of solidifying the team’s composition ahead of the impending T20 World Cup, highlighting the numerous alterations made in preparation for the tournament. “When your key players are absent, it certainly affects the dynamics. However, our primary focus is the World Cup, so we’re implementing several changes with that in mind. Even after winning the first match, we made several adjustments. For this match, we made five changes because our primary objective is the World Cup,” he elucidated.
Acknowledging that defeat at the international level is never desirable, Fakhar reiterated the team’s unwavering commitment to clinching success in the forthcoming World Cup. “Losing on the international stage isn’t ideal, but our ultimate aim is the World Cup, so our lineup needs to be formidable. We’ll strive to bounce back and secure victory in the next match,” he affirmed.
Fakhar also clarified his preferred batting position, asserting that his designated spot is at number four in the batting order while expressing flexibility to adapt to varying circumstances. “Number 4 is my designated position in T20 cricket. The management informed me that I wouldn’t feature in the first three matches, and my position could vary depending on the situation. Nonetheless, my primary slot is at number 4,” he concluded.
Despite the defeat, Fakhar’s remarkable innings of 61 runs off 45 balls played a pivotal role in anchoring Pakistan’s innings and keeping them within striking distance of the target. Additionally, Iftikhar Ahmed’s contribution of 23 runs off 20 balls provided vital support to Fakhar’s innings as Pakistan battled fiercely to remain competitive throughout the game.
