PAK vs BAN: Fakhar says Pakistan is targetting semifinal spot, admits defeat to India harm morale

Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman stated he could be mendacity if he stated the sport in opposition to India didn’t harm Pakistan’s morale.

Babar Azam’s males began the 2023 ODI World Cup with back-to-back wins in opposition to the Netherlands and Sri Lanka however misplaced all 4 subsequent video games, beginning with the fixture in opposition to the host on the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 14.

“India vs Pakistan is always big. It always matters. I would be lying if I said otherwise,” the 33-year-old stated, addressing the media after the seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.

Fakhar, admittedly, might have chased a person hundred on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday however selected to prioritise his workforce’s future within the showpiece 50-over event.

“The situation we are in, at the moment, we wanted to chase it in 28-29 overs. Otherwise, it would have been very easy for me to get to the hundred,” he stated.

Fakhar top-scored for Pakistan with 81 off 74 balls, making certain the facet crossed the end line in 32.3 overs to maneuver fifth on the standings with six factors.

“In the World Cup, there are some things that give you confidence. This win is one, and we have been waiting for it. We wish to win the next two games while maintaining a good (net) run-rate. Our target is the semifinal, and we will work hard for it,” Fakhar, who changed Imam-ul-Haq within the last eleven on Tuesday after an prolonged ‘precautionary’ harm break, stated.

Opposition all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz additionally heaped reward on Fakhar. He stated, “Definitely (it was difficult to bowl to him)… He played with a lot of freedom.”

Bangladesh is now out of competition for a spot within the semifinal, and Mehidy assumes issues might have panned out otherwise if they’d extra runs on the board to defend in opposition to Pakistan.

He stated, “The boys are down. But at the end of the day, it all happens in cricket. You win some days, lose some other day… Pakistan’s opening partnership hurt us. An early wicket or two would have helped; 250-plus would have been more competitive.”