Pakistan suddenly regained its confidence level after their victory over Bangladesh in the World Cup 2023. It uplifted their focus and determination to a whole new level, and they are keeping their expectations high from their next match to be held with New Zealand on Saturday.
One of the players from Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman, said, “We still believe that we have a good chance of entering the semi-finals of the World Cup 2023. We are just keeping our fingers crossed for our next match.” He also said that he could have scored a 100 against Bangladesh, but depending on the situation of the team, he lost his wicket and failed to achieve a century.
The opener of Pakistan couldn’t go off with the ball delivered by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, for which he failed to clear the field and landed in Towhid Hridoy’s hands. Also, Zaman was going to have 8th six of his innings but unfortunately couldn’t make up to the end.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, another Pakistani, also revealed that he too was very much conscious about the net run needed for them to win at the back of his mind while going for the chase. Afridi admitted that he failed to get his swing, which was his main weapon, but he failed to do that, thus upsetting the whole team.
Fakhar Zaman, who had to sit for the last five matches in this World Cup, felt that Pakistani players are gradually adjusting to the Indian conditions, and that was clearly evident in the last two matches played. “We feel that we have given our best during the match with South Africa, though we have lost it narrowly. Against Bangladesh, too, we played the game we wanted and chose Victory over Loss. Even the ballers of Pakistan are now understanding the conditions and are using them correctly.
Zaman further said, “There was some minor injury concern, so I kept off from playing though it was not that major; I could have played if Pakistan needed my service at any moment.”
Pakistan will now face New Zealand on Saturday before returning from Kolkata for their final league game against England on November 11. They are hoping for the best and praying to remain alive till the league game.
