Following their loss to Ireland in the first of the three T20Is early this month, the Pakistan Team have decided to deploy a more attacking approach heading into the T20 World Cup in the Americas, per Fakhar Zaman. The left-handed batter said the loss pushed the side to work on their mindset and intent, adding their target now is to score 200 plus batting first in the marquee event.

In the leadup to the 20-team tournament starting on June 2, Pakistan played five T20Is against New Zealand at home, drawing the series 2-2, beating Ireland 2-1 on their first leg of the UK Tour, and now they face England in the four-match T20Is – of which the first match got washed out due to rain. 

ALSO READ | Indian cricket in a nutshell – No T20 World Cup-bound player in IPL 2024 Final

As they face the Poms in the second T20I in Edgbaston on Saturday (May 25), Pakistan will look to execute what they promised – an attacking start to the game. 

Addressing the issues that have held Pakistan’s progress in recent years, Fakhar said no one likes losing, and only after that defeat against Ireland that Pakistan decided to go all-out in their pursuit of a second T20 World Cup title.

“After we lost that first game against Ireland, after that, the mindset that we made, the body language was very different,” Fakhar said. 

“Nobody likes to lose; we understand that. But after that first match, the mindset that we have, if we continue that you will see a different side.

“We have meetings after every game, and the mindset we have now is that our target batting first is to make 200 or 200-plus. I am talking about this mindset, that if we go into the World Cup with it… there’s always talk about our batting, though the bowling is world-class. What I’m saying is, our batting, the mindset that we have, and are batting with, you’ll see we will play for 200-plus. You’ll see the intent,” he continued.

‘Excited to work with Kirsten’

With plenty happening within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), from change at the top to new coaches joining the side after regular intervals, the players cannot find themselves in peace and solace. However, Gary Kirsten’s appointment comes as sunshine for the Men in Green, with Fakhar saying everyone enjoys spending time with the new head coach.

He added that Kirsten likes meeting everyone and talking to them about their game, helping them have more clarity and communication at the forefront.

“Too many new coaches,” Fakhar said of Kirsten. 

“But Gary is such a great guy. He is new, but we don’t feel he is new because the day he arrived he gelled with the team. He likes to talk to everyone. He likes to hear our story, how we play cricket and his own culture. We’re very excited to work with him.

“He hasn’t had that much time, but his mindset, the way he sits and talks with us like we’re friends, I really liked that. The World Cup is so close, so I’m not going to listen to anyone right now [about his own batting]. If you tinker stuff with a tournament so close it’s not easy. So, I’m going to keep playing the way I am and then will work with him after that,” he added.

You can now write for Baazigarnews.com and be a part of the Baazigar family. Share your stories and opinions with us here.