DUBLIN: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman asserted that the national team needed a wake-up call ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June.
Fakhar, in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Digital, asserted that the shock loss in the first T20I against Ireland fuelled every player with determination to give their best in the next fixture.
He further acknowledged the need to carry the same momentum heading into the T20 World Cup.
“We needed a wake-up call considering the way we lost the first game. So it was in the back of our minds while we were playing the second game and that is why everyone was giving their best,” Fakhar said.
“We hope to carry the same momentum till the World Cup,” he added.
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Set to chase 194 in the second T20I, Pakistan had a shaky start as they lost young opener Saim Ayub (6) and skipper Babar Azam (0) with just 13 runs on the board inside the first two overs.
Following the slump, Fakhar Zaman joined Mohammad Rizwan at the crease and the duo turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour with a marathon 140-run partnership.
Fakhar remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a blistering 78 off 40 balls, featuring six fours and six sixes while Mohammad Rizwan made an unbeaten 75 off off 46 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
“Our plan was to counter attack despite losing two wickets early. There is pressure when you lose early wickets, but since we have planned to play attacking cricket, it releases all pressure,” Fakhar told PCB Digital.
“Our plan was to chase the score before the 18th over,” he concluded.
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