Loss to Ireland changed our mindset: Fakhar Zaman

After going down to Ireland in the first of three T20 Internationals (T20I) in Dublin, Fakhar Zaman said that the entire team’s mindset and body language changed after that. The batter believes that their attacking approach after that helped them win the series, and it is something they will look to keep doing at the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan have three more official T20Is before they kick-start their T20 World Cup campaign. Their first game against England at Headingley was washed out and they now turn their attention to the next game at Edgbaston on May 25 (Saturday).

“After we lost that first game against Ireland, after that, the mindset that we made, the body language was very different,” Fakhar said. 

“Nobody likes to lose, we understand that. But after that first match, the mindset that we have, if we continue that you will see a different side.

“We have meetings after every game, and the mindset we have now is that our target batting first is to make 200 or 200-plus. I am talking about this mindset that if we go into the World Cup with it… there’s always talk about our batting, though the bowling is world-class. What I’m saying is, our batting, the mindset that we have, and are batting with, you’ll see we will play for 200-plus. You’ll see the intent.”    

Speaking of new head coach Gary Kirsten, Fakhar says he is excited to work with the South African. “Gary is such a great guy. He is new, but we don’t feel he is new because the day he arrived, he gelled with the team. He likes to talk to everyone. He likes to hear our story, how we play cricket and his own culture. We’re very excited to work with him,” Fakhar said.

“He hasn’t had that much time but his mindset, the way he sits and talks with us like we’re friends, I really liked that. The World Cup is so close, so I’m not going to listen to anyone right now [about his own batting]. If you tinker stuff with a tournament so close it’s not easy. So I’m going to keep playing the way I am and then will work with him after that.”

Fakhar had a poor Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he slammed just 157 runs at a strike rate of 115.44 in eight innings, has fared well for Pakistan. He is now forced to bat at four with the emergence of Saim Ayub at the top. However, he is not too purtubed by it.

“In cricket, if you’re in form, then you have to try and stretch that form out,” he said. 

“Whether I make 10, 15 or 20, I want to make sure it helps the team, that it has impact. In the middle order, you get situations like you’re batting in the 15th over, or the 2nd, so my role is to go hard and make it easier for others.”

Pakistan will face the US in their first match at the T20 World Cup on June 6 in Dallas. They will alos take on India, Canada and Ireland in the group stage.

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