Pakistan top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman established that the team morale following their defeat to India hasn’t gone down and they are determined to go all the way. India established their dominion over the neighbours, registering a win by 5 wickets in the group stage fixture of Asia Cup 2022.
Hardik Pandya’s late charge propelled India over the line with two balls to spare. The dynamic all-rounder scored an unbeaten 17-ball 33 and finished the match off with a colossal six over off Mohammad Nawaz.
Pakistan eye Super Fours berth with win against Hong Kong
Ahead of their last and final Group A game against Hong Kong tonight, Fakhar reckoned that the Men in Green are pretty confident and are clear of their plans. A win against the minnows will guarantee their berth in the Super Fours of the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai.
Fakhar was quoted as saying in a video on PCB’s Twitter handle, “It was a close match and at one stage, we thought that the game was in our hands. In T20 cricket, at times, a single player takes a match away from you, as happened in the last match. In a close match, even if you lose, it doesn’t affect a team’s morale. The team is confident and we are looking to perform better.”
Fakhar Zaman should open for Pakistan, opines Aakash Chopra
In terms of the batting approach, cricketer-turned pundit Aakash Chopra said that the Pakistan team is highly dependent on their top three batters. In a scenario where they fail to fire, there aren’t many options in the middle-order to take up the responsibility.
In the forthcoming matches, Chopra suggested left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman to be included in the playing XI as an opener.
“If he (Zaman) doesn’t bat in the first six overs, his task becomes more difficult. So open with left-right, that’s a thought I am just planting. I am not saying that is going to happen because Pakistan will not do that – Rizwan and Babar will only open but it’s not a bad option if they open with Fakhar,” Chopra concluded.
