Fakhar Zaman (Image credit: AFP)
Experienced top-order batter Fakhar Zaman believes Pakistan can end their wait for an ICC trophy at next year’s 50-overs World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“There is pressure on us as a team to deliver an ICC trophy, and we have had extensive discussions about ending the country’s wait for a major international trophy,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI. Fakhar said the players were serious about ending Pakistan’s wait for an ICC title and hoped to bring the World Cup trophy home. We will do our best, and we hope Allah helps us bring the World Cup trophy back to Pakistan,” he said. “The idea is to start building a perfect combination for the World Cup from now, and the good thing is most of our players are going into the tri-series having played domestic cricket,” Fakhar said.
“We are taking it very seriously. The upcoming tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka will be an important part of Pakistan’s preparations, with the team looking to settle on the right combination for next year’s ODI World Cup. He added that changes within the team had given the players hope ahead of the World Cup, even as preparations continued. “There have also been significant changes in the team, so we are hopeful and excited. With the way our preparations are progressing, the World Cup is also in the back of our minds,” Fakhar added.