NZ vs PAK, ICC World Cup 2023: Fakhar Zaman dedicates victory to Pakistan fielding coach

Preparation, exhausting work, chutzpah, shortcomings – these have been strains out there in equal measure within the fibres of each New Zealand and Pakistan, however Player-of-the-Match Fakhar Zaman attributed his aspect’s 21-run triumph (Duckworth and Lewis Method) merely to luck.

“When you perform, people can see your work but they don’t when you don’t find success,” Zaman stated after his unbeaten 81-ball 121 mauling of the Black Caps right here on Saturday.

The 33-year-old devoted the win, which retains Pakistan alive within the match, to fielding coach Aftab Khan.

“Aftab has an academy in Peshawar. He identified that I tend to struggle against off-spinners, he’s one himself, and so he worked on it with me. He identified my weaknesses and gave me time to fix them. You need people like that around you,” Zaman stated.

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Pakistan’s director of cricket Mickey Arthur had, earlier than this fixture, hinted at diving deep into analysis and technique, and the outcomes have been there for all to see.

“We knew there was a possibility of rain and wanted to ensure our score stays above the mark. We got messages on what our score needed to be at different stages,” he added.

New Zealand, regardless of an distinctive batting present, discovered itself exhausting carried out by Saqlain Mushtaq’s notorious Qudrat ka Nizam (manner of nature) quip. However, Kane Williamson emphasised that the pep talks might be quick and the staff will take its classes and look ahead.

“There’s a lot left in this tournament for us. Although it’s a frustrating result for us after so much of it going so well, the quicker we move on and focus on our next challenge, the better,” he stated.

Zaman has now scored 4 centuries towards the Black Caps in ODIs this yr and Williamson doffed his hat to his type of play.

“When Fakhar’s going, not many grounds are big enough. This one certainly wasn’t. He swung seriously hard and he hit everything off the middle of his bat and it went for miles. Today was probably one of his finest efforts,” the Kiwi captain added.