Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman has recognized the outstanding performance of the New Zealand team, which led them to defeat the host team by 78 runs in the opening match of the three-match ODI series held at Gaddafi Stadium. Zaman, who returned to the ODI team after 15 months, scored 84 runs off 69 balls, while Pakistan faced challenges in pursuing New Zealand’s target of 331 runs.
Speaking at a press conference after the match, Zaman praised New Zealand’s performance, especially crediting Glenn Phillips for his excellent century and the initial contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson. Zaman also highlighted the good performance shown by New Zealand’s spinners later in the match.
In response to criticism of his partnership with fellow opener Babar Azam in this match, Zaman defended their performance, stating that some people tend to criticize when a player doesn’t perform well in a single match. He also expressed confidence in Babar’s abilities as a top-order batsman and hoped for better performances in future matches.
When asked about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, Zaman expressed Pakistan’s enthusiasm and readiness for the matches. He emphasized that the team is eager to start the matches and prove their capabilities on the field.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s captain, Rizwan, found it challenging to digest the defeat. He only scored three runs in the match and acknowledged the exceptional batting display by Phillips and the partnership with Mitchell and Williamson.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that fast bowler Haris Rauf, who sustained a physical injury during the match, will not be available for the next match against South Africa. The PCB stated that Rauf suffered a minor injury to the lower chest wall, and while it is not serious, he is expected to fully recover in time for the ICC Champions Trophy.
