Some things might have bothered Pakistan in the group stage but all it worked out when it mattered. Fakhar Zaman, who struggled for Pakistan, in the last 5 matches once again featured in Pakistan Playing XI. And, he delivered right on time with a timely fifty against Australia in the semifinals.
- Fakhar Zaman smashed an unbeaten 55 of 32 balls that comprised 3 boundaries and 4 sixes.
- He scored a bulk of runs at the death overs with a strike rate of 171+.
- Zaman in last 4 inns: 11, 30, 5 and 8 runs but Pakistan team management backed him to pull off a beauty.
- Fakhar had scored a match-winning hundred against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Babar Azam
Babar Azam had predicted that Fakhar Zaman will change the match.
“You want 11 players to perform? It doesn’t work like that in cricket, three to four players perform in a match,” said the skipper when asked about Fakhar’s low returns in the competition.
“Two batters perform in a game. Every player can’t perform in one match. The way Fakhar is playing, he has been given all the confidence. On his day he can change the game on his own and I have full confidence he will do it in the coming games.”
Mathew Hayden
Pakistan coach Hayden had warned Australia of a very special inning from struggling Fakhar Zaman. He had also said that he is a quality fielder who can change the match on his own.
“Don’t be surprised if you see something incredibly special from him tomorrow (Thursday), as well, because he is smashing the ball in the nets,” Hayden had said.
“Fakhar has I think been the standout outfielder for our team, as well. He saves literally five to 10 runs every game, and five to 10 runs within a T20 concept and batting lineup, including your own runs maybe 20s and 30s here and there, means that overall he’s just been such an important part of the side,” he added.
