ISLAMABAD: Fakhar Zaman says Pakistan are determined to end their long wait for a major international trophy as the national side begins its road towards the 2027 World Cup with an ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, ahead of the tri-series opener against Sri Lanka, Fakhar said the players were well aware that Pakistan had not won a major tournament for several years.
“We know it’s been quite a while since we’ve won a major tournament,” he said. “We’ve reached finals and played in semi-finals, too.
“But, obviously, the happiness you feel as a nation when you win a trophy is something you don’t get simply by reaching finals or semi-finals, no matter how many you play.
“We’ve sat down and discussed this at length, and many of the players are taking it very seriously. God willing, we’ll give it our best, and we hope for Allah’s help as well. We’ll make every effort to bring this trophy back to Pakistan.”
Fakhar, who played a central role in Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph with a century in the final, has witnessed the highs and lows of the national team over the past decade. Pakistan’s Champions Trophy success remains their last global title.
Since then, Pakistan have reached the semi-final of the 2021 T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 edition, but the side has also suffered disappointments in ICC events over the following years.
The 2027 World Cup, to be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, is likely to be Fakhar’s final opportunity to help Pakistan win another major ICC trophy. He will be 37 by then. The tournament may also represent a last major shot for several of his contemporaries, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan have made gains in bilateral cricket over the past year or so, moving to sixth in the Twenty20 International rankings and fifth in the ODI rankings. However, the team are still searching for a defining performance in a major global tournament.
Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup will begin with the ODI tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and 2019 World Cup winners England. The tournament will be played in a double round-robin format.
The first three matches will be held in Rawalpindi, while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will stage the remaining league matches and the final, scheduled for October 31.
Fakhar said Pakistan would approach the series with the 2027 World Cup in mind. He added that the pitches had been prepared to offer conditions similar to those expected in South Africa, where Pakistan will play most of their World Cup matches.
“The combination for the 2027 World Cup is looking very good,” Fakhar said. “You can see that in the way the wickets are being prepared as well.
“Everyone has the World Cup in mind, and the team combination is looking excellent.”
Pakistan’s squad for the tri-series indicates a likely balance of four bowlers, six batters and one all-rounder, a combination generally considered suitable for South African conditions.
Fakhar said the players joining the ODI camp after featuring in the ongoing President’s Trophy, the first-class domestic competition involving departmental teams, were in good rhythm. He also said the squad’s international experience would help Pakistan in the series.
“The best thing is that all the players are coming off a first-class season,” the 36-year-old said. “They are in rhythm and have been playing long spells of cricket.
“When you play first-class cricket, 50-over cricket doesn’t feel that long. But if you regularly play T20 cricket, the 50-over format can feel a little longer.”
Fakhar has continued to score consistently in ODI cricket since his Champions Trophy performance. In 92 ODIs, he has scored 3,861 runs at an average of more than 45.
With Pakistan scheduled to play at least four matches in the tri-series, he will have the chance to cross the 4,000-run mark in the format. Pakistan are also due to play a five-match ODI series in England in May next year ahead of the World Cup.
“Speaking for myself, ODI cricket is my favourite format, so I’m particularly excited about it,” Fakhar said.
As Pakistan look towards the 2027 World Cup, Fakhar will be hoping to close his career by helping the side return to the summit of international cricket in the format he enjoys the most.
