- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 11,379
Fakhar Zaman during New Zealand vs Pakistan T20 series pre-game Presser:
About Tim Southee:
“He may not be that fast, but whenever we discuss him, he is still considered one of the best in the world because of his experience. He bowls well with both the new and old ball. With the new ball, he gets some swing, and with the older ball, he uses his variations. Personally, I have played against him many times, but I never felt that he is an easy bowler to face. He is one of the best in the world.”
About short boundaries at Eden Park:
“In cricket, I think we need to adapt to the conditions. If the wicket plays well, then it is really easy to score runs, especially on short boundaries. In 2018, I played a game here that was high scoring, and the history of this ground is similar. So, we are really looking forward to playing here.”
About local fans and support:
“In 2018, when I was here for the first time, I met very few Pakistani people. But now, I think there are more, and they are now coaching in the domestic circuit, which is a really good thing. Even one of my neighbors is here as a net bowler, which is good for us to meet them. They were asking so many questions, and want to see their favorite cricketers as well. So, it’s really nice to be here and to see all these Pakistani people here.”
“Our T20 side is very dangerous, and we can beat any team on any given day. So, we are really excited for this tour. I am feeling very confident. To be honest, I did not play any club cricket after the World Cup, but we had a camp in Lahore where we worked really hard. Obviously, everybody is in very good touch.”
The biggest challenge when you come to New Zealand:
“The biggest challenge for us is that we only have two to three days of training and net practice. I think in New Zealand, you need more days, like 10 to 15 days, to get familiar with the wickets because there is too much difference in the bounce of the wicket if you compare it with the pitches in Pakistan. But as professional cricketers, we are now used to that, so there is no excuse. I think everybody is ready, the way everybody was hitting the ball in the net, I think we are ready to go.”
“To be honest, we are really happy to face the mainstream bowling of New Zealand in the bilateral series. We wanted that because this is the year of the World Cup, so we wanted to play against stronger teams. This is a really good sign for us. The big guns like Lockie Ferguson and Kane Williamson are really good players, and we are looking forward to playing against them.”
"Look, our T20 team has always been very good, and our bench strength is also very strong. The boys who have recently joined the team need a little time, in my opinion. When a team is selected, it doesn’t happen that a player who has made a place in the team today is playing tomorrow. There is a lot of struggle behind them. So, in my opinion, if these players are given a little more time, the team that has just been formed will indeed become very strong.”
About the combination at the opening:
"In my opinion, this is not a sacrifice; it’s the decision of the management and the captain. If I’m not being considered for the opening, then they are seeing something that suggests I can also win matches for them down the order. You know that this is a national team, and there are thousands of players in line. So, in this situation, I consider myself lucky. If I’m not being considered for the opening spot, and seeing how Babar and Rizwan are playing, how Saim is playing, I consider myself lucky. If I’m not being considered for the opening, they are trying me one down or two down. So, in my opinion, in Pakistan, you can never say that I am sacrificing my slot because this is a national team. I think that even if I’m played on the sixth or seventh number, I will play happily.”
About coordination with Shaheen as a captain:
"Absolutely, when Shaheen joined Lahore Qalandars in 2018, we have been together since then, and I have seen him groom. The way he has carried himself and then when he got the captaincy, I have said this before, he has proved many people wrong who thought he couldn’t captain. Because every match that he has played, there was improvement. I hope that the way he has captained Lahore Qalandars and won a cup, he will take it forward because I know that there is a lot of difference between franchise cricket and international cricket. But he has leadership qualities, and I hope that he will win as many matches as possible for Pakistan.”
"In every match, our goal is to play as well as possible. I remember the World Cup innings, and from my side, I will try to contribute as much as I can to the team’s victory. Even if I get one over or 10 overs, I will strive to perform well.”
About resting Babar, Rizwan, and himself:
“Absolutely, new players should be given a chance. The first thing is that we have Babar and Rizwan, and they have delivered many outstanding performances. The batting order can be shuffled, but in my opinion, replacing them will not be so easy. However, if any player is rested, then you prepare your backup. The World Cup is coming, and we have 15 to 20 matches. In my opinion, new players should absolutely be given a chance, so that in the World Cup, we don’t have to play a new player directly.”
“New Zealand’s team has always been tough, regardless of the conditions in which they play. This will be a tough series, and our team is also very good. We are also playing with full strength, as is New Zealand, so I hope that we will play all the matches very well. There will be very tough matches, and this series will also provide an opportunity to prepare for the World Cup."
About Tim Southee:
“He may not be that fast, but whenever we discuss him, he is still considered one of the best in the world because of his experience. He bowls well with both the new and old ball. With the new ball, he gets some swing, and with the older ball, he uses his variations. Personally, I have played against him many times, but I never felt that he is an easy bowler to face. He is one of the best in the world.”
About short boundaries at Eden Park:
“In cricket, I think we need to adapt to the conditions. If the wicket plays well, then it is really easy to score runs, especially on short boundaries. In 2018, I played a game here that was high scoring, and the history of this ground is similar. So, we are really looking forward to playing here.”
About local fans and support:
“In 2018, when I was here for the first time, I met very few Pakistani people. But now, I think there are more, and they are now coaching in the domestic circuit, which is a really good thing. Even one of my neighbors is here as a net bowler, which is good for us to meet them. They were asking so many questions, and want to see their favorite cricketers as well. So, it’s really nice to be here and to see all these Pakistani people here.”
“Our T20 side is very dangerous, and we can beat any team on any given day. So, we are really excited for this tour. I am feeling very confident. To be honest, I did not play any club cricket after the World Cup, but we had a camp in Lahore where we worked really hard. Obviously, everybody is in very good touch.”
The biggest challenge when you come to New Zealand:
“The biggest challenge for us is that we only have two to three days of training and net practice. I think in New Zealand, you need more days, like 10 to 15 days, to get familiar with the wickets because there is too much difference in the bounce of the wicket if you compare it with the pitches in Pakistan. But as professional cricketers, we are now used to that, so there is no excuse. I think everybody is ready, the way everybody was hitting the ball in the net, I think we are ready to go.”
“To be honest, we are really happy to face the mainstream bowling of New Zealand in the bilateral series. We wanted that because this is the year of the World Cup, so we wanted to play against stronger teams. This is a really good sign for us. The big guns like Lockie Ferguson and Kane Williamson are really good players, and we are looking forward to playing against them.”
"Look, our T20 team has always been very good, and our bench strength is also very strong. The boys who have recently joined the team need a little time, in my opinion. When a team is selected, it doesn’t happen that a player who has made a place in the team today is playing tomorrow. There is a lot of struggle behind them. So, in my opinion, if these players are given a little more time, the team that has just been formed will indeed become very strong.”
About the combination at the opening:
"In my opinion, this is not a sacrifice; it’s the decision of the management and the captain. If I’m not being considered for the opening, then they are seeing something that suggests I can also win matches for them down the order. You know that this is a national team, and there are thousands of players in line. So, in this situation, I consider myself lucky. If I’m not being considered for the opening spot, and seeing how Babar and Rizwan are playing, how Saim is playing, I consider myself lucky. If I’m not being considered for the opening, they are trying me one down or two down. So, in my opinion, in Pakistan, you can never say that I am sacrificing my slot because this is a national team. I think that even if I’m played on the sixth or seventh number, I will play happily.”
About coordination with Shaheen as a captain:
"Absolutely, when Shaheen joined Lahore Qalandars in 2018, we have been together since then, and I have seen him groom. The way he has carried himself and then when he got the captaincy, I have said this before, he has proved many people wrong who thought he couldn’t captain. Because every match that he has played, there was improvement. I hope that the way he has captained Lahore Qalandars and won a cup, he will take it forward because I know that there is a lot of difference between franchise cricket and international cricket. But he has leadership qualities, and I hope that he will win as many matches as possible for Pakistan.”
"In every match, our goal is to play as well as possible. I remember the World Cup innings, and from my side, I will try to contribute as much as I can to the team’s victory. Even if I get one over or 10 overs, I will strive to perform well.”
About resting Babar, Rizwan, and himself:
“Absolutely, new players should be given a chance. The first thing is that we have Babar and Rizwan, and they have delivered many outstanding performances. The batting order can be shuffled, but in my opinion, replacing them will not be so easy. However, if any player is rested, then you prepare your backup. The World Cup is coming, and we have 15 to 20 matches. In my opinion, new players should absolutely be given a chance, so that in the World Cup, we don’t have to play a new player directly.”
“New Zealand’s team has always been tough, regardless of the conditions in which they play. This will be a tough series, and our team is also very good. We are also playing with full strength, as is New Zealand, so I hope that we will play all the matches very well. There will be very tough matches, and this series will also provide an opportunity to prepare for the World Cup."
