Star batsman Fakhar Zaman claims that following Pakistan’s dismal loss to Ireland in the opening Twenty One Twenty one of the recent three-match T20I series, the team has been much more aggressive.
This newfound perspective is relevant as we approach the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which will take place in the USA and the West Indies beginning next month. The loss served as a wake-up call for Men in Green, encouraging them to adopt a more aggressive strategy.
“Our body language and mentality changed significantly after we lost the opening match against Ireland. We recognize that no one enjoys defeat. However, after that first game, you will witness a different side if we maintain our current approach, Fakhar Zaman stated, as cited by ESPNcricinfo.
The left-hander disclosed that Pakistan’s new objective is to score more than 200 runs when they bat first. With this aggressive goal of scoring runs, they hope to solve batting concerns that have impeded their growth.
“We hold meetings following each game, and we currently have the mentality that making 200 runs or more when batting first is our goal. I’m referring to the belief that, even though our bowling is top-notch, if we enter the World Cup with it, everyone will speak about our batting. I’m trying to convey that if you watch us bat and the mindset we have, you’ll realize that we can play for 200 or more. He said, “You’ll see the intent.”
Working with Gary Kirsten: Fakhar Zaman excites us much.
Gary Kirsten’s hiring as head coach has been another advantage for the team. The prospect of collaborating with the seasoned South African excites the left-hander.
“Gary Kirsten is a really wonderful man. He is new, but we don’t feel that way about him because he clicked right away with the team the day he arrived. He enjoys chatting with everyone. He enjoys hearing about our history, our cricket game, and his own culture. We can’t wait to collaborate with him,” he continued.
Prior to the major event in June, the 34-year-old complimented Kirsten for being a member of the Pakistan camp. He even mentioned how the former Proteas player addresses the entire team with ease.
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“Although he hasn’t had much time, I appreciated his attitude and the way he sits and converses with us like friends. I’m not going to listen to anyone criticizing his batting just now because the World Cup is so close. It’s difficult to make changes to a competition this close. I’m going to continue playing the way I do, and then I’ll work with him,” he said.