We need to tame Kiwi pacers, says Fakhar
abu dhabi — Survive the pace menace of Trent Boult and Tim Southee — is the task Pakistan think-tank has assigned to top-order batsmen during the ongoing ODI series in the UAE.
Boult blazed away Pakistan top names in the first ODI but batsmen did manage the situation with feisty firefighting to clinch the second match in Abu Dhabi.
Fakhar Zaman, who steered Pakistan home in second ODI with his measured innings of 88 runs, said the team strategy is to endure the initial spell of pacers.
“We plan to survive the opening spell of 6-7 overs even if we don’t score big runs. We need to keep wickets in hand,” Fakhar said.
After Pakistan had collapsed to 8 for three wickets in the first match,
skipper Sarfraz Ahmed had a word with the top-order batsmen on need to build partnerships. It paid off in the second ODI where FakharImam Ul Haq had 54-run unbeaten stand and later Fakhar-Babar Azam made 101 for second wicket to
clinch victory in 41 overs with six wickets in hand. “Yes our plan was successful in second match.”
Fakhar acknowledged that spending more time on the wicket is the way out of all problems.“We need to spend more time on the wicket. > Pakistan 212 for 4 in 40.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 88, Babar Azam 46, Ferguson 3/60) beat
> New Zealand 209 for 9 in 50
overs (Ross Taylor 86*, Nicholls 33, Shaheen Afridi 4/38) by 6 wickets. Once we get set all are weakness can be transformed into strength.”
Fakhar was struggling for form until his run-a-ball 88 runs. He also had suffered knee injury during the T20 series too but said he is fully fit and determined to continue his form.
“My confidence was down after series of failures but captain and coach backed me. They assured my spot was not under threat. Such trust helped boost my confidence. I worked hard and wish to carry on.”
And Fakhar is confident that Pakistan will win the Dubai series decider on Sunday.