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Fakhar says he sacrificed century for team goal

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11 months ago

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KOLKATA: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman said he has no regrets over missing out on a World Cup century saying he sacrificed the hundred to boost the team’s net run-rate in Tuesday’s must-win clash against Bangladesh.

Pakistan began their campaign with back-to-back wins but went into the match at Eden Gardens with their semi-final hopes hanging in balance after four defeats in a row.

They beat Bangladesh by seven wickets, and chased down the victory target with 17.3 overs to spare in a major boost to their net run-rate, which could come in handy when separating teams level on points.

Fakhar led Pakistan’s chase with a freewheeling 81, which earned him the player-of-the-match award, but fell short of a hundred trying to wrap up their chase early.

“The situation we were in at that moment, we were looking to chase it in 28-29 overs,” the 33-year-old, whose form and knee injury kept him out Pakistan’s first five matches, told reporters.

“So that’s why I was just going (after the bowlers).

“Otherwise, it was very easy for me to get to the 100 after 50. But our goal was to achieve the target within 29-30 overs.”

Speaking about his injury, he said although he could have played with the injury as it was not “too serious,” it was a right decision to take little rest.

Pakistan are currently fifth in the table, level on six points with Afghanistan, who have played one game fewer, while Bangladesh became the first team to bow out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka and the Netherlands can also join them in a mid-table logjam should both win their next games.

Fakhar said the mood was upbeat in the dressing room despite the uncertainty around the 1992 champions making the last four in the showpiece 50-overs tournament.

“In the World Cup, each win gives you confidence and we were waiting for this win.

“We are in the ifs-and-buts (zone) right now – but we will try to win both the remaining matches with good run rates.

“Our target is the semi-final and we will try for that.”

He said the Indian pitches are easy for batsmen but bowlers have to bowl accurately.

The left-hander admitted the team was under pressure after the loss against India.

“The Pakistan vs India match has an impact and also makes a difference on the performance,” the batter added.

Pakistan face 2019 runners-up New Zealand and holders England in their remaining group matches.

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Asif Ali hopes to be called up for Pakistan after a great Champions Cup performance.

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21 hours ago

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In yesterday’s 92-run defeat against Markhors, Asif Ali, who is playing for the Dolphins under Saud Shakeel, scored a fast half-century.

Asif stated in an interview with a local news station that he wanted to do well enough throughout the competition to possibly earn a spot back on the national squad.

He also disclosed that, prior to making his international debut, he batted at number four in domestic cricket but was forced to settle for number six. The energetic batter had a new task because of the
in batting order.

Asif stated, “Going from No. 4 to No. 6 is not easy.” “It’s critical to train properly for your position in international cricket. It can be challenging to drop to a lower position at the international level if you’re used to playing higher up the order at home.

He talked candidly about the Dolphins’ defeat against the Markhorses as well, stating that given the pitch conditions, he would not have chosen to field first.

“Batting was challenging because the pitch favored bowlers in the latter parts of the game,” he remarked. Because of the early dampness, the Dolphins’ management decided to field first.

He then on, “If they had asked me, I would have told them to bat first and not fall for that.”

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The ICC delegation inspects the National Stadium to evaluate the preparations for the Champions Trophy.

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2 days ago

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The delegation arrived in Karachi last night and inspected the National Stadium this morning, evaluating the ongoing development and preparations for the Champions Trophy.

Subsequent to Karachi, the ICC delegation will proceed to Islamabad and Lahore for the next round of the evaluation. They will compile the comprehensive report on locations and preparations following the conclusion of the visit.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to occur in Pakistan from February to March; however, India’s participation remains doubtful as the BCCI seeks governmental consent for the visit.

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Reports from Indian media, referencing a source within the BCCI, indicate that the Indian squad will not travel to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC event.

Subsequent reports indicated that the board has officially suggested Dubai and Sri Lanka as prospective locations for hosting India’s matches.

Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), dismissed the reports, asserting that no teams had expressed any reluctance to participate in the competition.

In a media meeting in Dubai regarding the Women’s T20 World Cup, Allardice conveyed his approval of Pakistan as the tournament venue. He emphasized the ICC’s assurance in Pakistan’s capacity to host the Champions Trophy.

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Champions Trophy 2025 will remain in Pakistan, the CEO of the ICC has said.

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7 days ago

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Dismissing any rumors that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be moved to a different nation, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has stated that the tournament will take place in Pakistan as planned.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is slated to take place in Pakistan in February and March. Nevertheless, India’s participation in the competition is up in the air since the BCCI is still awaiting government sanction to travel there.

Recall that there were rumors in Indian media, backed by the BCCI, that the Indian team would not be traveling to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC match.

Additional reports stated that the board had formally suggested Sri Lanka and Dubai as possible locations for India’s match.

According to Geoff Allardice, who denied the reports, no team has expressed reluctance to play in the competition.

Allardice voiced her appreciation over Pakistan’s hosting of the Women’s T20 World Cup during a press conference in Dubai. He went on to emphasize that Pakistan is the ICC’s choice to host the Champions Trophy.

Remarkably, Pakistan is preparing three stadiums for the Champions Trophy in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has revealed that the stadium modifications will be finished prior to the start of the Champions Trophy.

Gaddafi Stadium’s basement will be built by September 30. It will take three weeks to finish each floor. A steel framework would make up the front building. By December 31, the primary structure of Gaddafi Stadium will be finished, according to Naqvi.

“The seats will be erected in the stadium prior to the Champions Trophy; Indi Stadium will need to be fully destroyed and rebuilt.

“The Champions Trophy will take place before the renovations at Karachi’s [National Stadium] are finished,” he said.

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