KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman believes that his team has shown brilliant form in the recent past and as a result, they will enter the ICC World Cup 2019 as firm favourites.
“The current Pakistan team combination is brilliant and the results we have recently produced are good proof of that,” Zaman told Sky Sports.
“We will travel to England to win the title and not just to make up the numbers. I do feel that it is right for us to be labelled favourites for the 2019 World Cup as our team will be well equipped for this tournament,” he added.
However, the left-hander believes that their first concern should be the upcoming Asian Cup which will be played in the UAE next month.
“At the moment, I am fully focused on doing well in the upcoming Asia Cup,” he said. “Of course, the 2019 World Cup is an important tournament, but it’s far too early for me to start planning for it as there are other international assignments to take care of before that tournament.”
Fakhar Zaman has been the star of Pakistan cricket in recent times. The Pakistan batsman has been breaking records at will and
Zimbabwe, he became the sixth batsman in world cricket to score an ODI century. However, Test cricket remains the ultimate goal for the cricketer.
“Regardless of which team I play against, the fact is that Test cricket is one format that provides the ultimate test of skills for a player and to perform well in this form of the game is my dream,” he added. “When that opportunity does arrive, I will do my best.
“While I could not debut in Tests during the recent tour of Ireland and England, I learnt a lot from that tour and also worked very hard on my batting technique, which I feel will help me in Tests. I do not know what the future holds for me in Test cricket but I can confidently say that I am continuing to prepare well and will be ready if I am given a chance,” he said.
