The talented Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman firmly reckons that Pakistan team is the firm favorites for lifting the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. He also acknowledged that he learned a lot by watching Indian skipper Virat Kohli by watching him play.
Ever since making his international debut in March 2017, Zaman has become one of the crucial cogs for Pakistan cricket team. In his international career so far, he has featured in 18 One-day Internationals (ODIs), scoring 1065 runs at a spectacular average of 76.06, and 22 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), making 646 runs at 30.76.
In an interview with Saj Sadiq for Sky Sports, Zaman said, “There is no doubt that Virat Kohli is a world-class player who sets a fine example for all to follow with his hard work and his batting. I for one really enjoy watching Virat Kohli bat and I feel that I learn a lot by watching this master batsman at work.”
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Earlier this year, Zaman played an unbeaten knock of 210 against Zimbabwe as he became the first from his country to score a double century in ODIs. In the same tri-series, he became the fastest man to reach 1000 runs. It was his stroke-filled 114 off 106 that helped Pakistan win the 20017 Champions Trophy by thumping their arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval.
Talking about Pakistan team’s peformance in recent times, Fakhar said, “The current Pakistan team combination is brilliant and the results we have recently produced are the good proof of that. We will travel to England to win the title and not just to make up the numbers. I do feel that it is right for us to be labeled favorites for the 2019 World Cup as our team will be well equipped for this tournament.”
However, Zaman revealed that he is currently focussing more on the upcoming Asia Cup that will be played in the UAE in September. He said, “At the moment, I am fully focused on doing well in the upcoming Asia Cup. Of course, the 2019 World Cup is an important tournament, but it’s far too early for me to start planning for it as there are other international assignments to take care of before that tournament.”
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Despite all the success in the ODIs and T20Is, Zaman still wants to make a mark for himself in the longest format of the game as well. With Australia and New Zealand set to travel to the UAE this year, Zaman might not have to wait for too long.
Describing the same, Fakhar said, “Regardless of which team I play against, the fact is that Test cricket is one format that provides the ultimate test of skills for a player and to perform well in this form of the game is my dream. When that opportunity does arrive, I will do my best. While I could not debut in Tests during the recent tour of Ireland and England, I learned a lot from that tour and also worked very hard on my batting technique, which I feel will help me in Tests. I do not know what the future holds for me in Test cricket but I can confidently say that I am continuing to prepare well and will be ready if I am given a chance.”
