Opener says tri-series offers Pakistan chance to build combination ahead of 2027 global event
Pakistan’s seasoned batsman Fakhar Zaman said on Friday that the ODI tri-series, also involving England and Sri Lanka, would help the team fine-tune combination for the 2027 ODI World Cup and regain momentum in the 50-over format after an extended break from one-day cricket.
Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday (tomorrow), with England completing the three-team line-up.
Fakhar said Pakistan had drawn up plans for the upcoming series but would keep some details confidential, adding that preparations were also focused on the bigger challenge ahead.
“There are a lot of plans regarding the tri-series, some of which you cannot make public,” Fakhar told reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
“We are very hopeful and excited. The way we are preparing, we have all the plans for the World Cup in the back of our minds, so we will try to do well in this tri-nation series and also build a combination because we are playing one-day matches after a long time.”
Pakistan have several experienced players in their ODI squad, including Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. Meanwhile, younger players such as Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and wicket-keeper Saad Baig will be looking to establish themselves.
Fakhar, Pakistan’s only double centurion in the men’s ODIs, said the squad’s recent first-class cricket commitments could help players adapt to the demands of the 50-over format.
“The best thing about the combination is that all the boys are coming after playing the first-class season. So everyone is in rhythm and is coming after playing a long format of cricket,” he said.
“When you play first-class cricket then 50 overs format does not seem that long to you, whereas when you play T20 regularly, it seems a little long,” Fakhar said.
The left-handed opener added that Pakistan’s bowlers had also shown encouraging signs, with the squad eager to establish a settled combination ahead of the global tournament.
“We have a very good combination, as you can also see from the way wickets are being sold out. Everyone has the World Cup in their minds,” he said.
Pakistan’s recent ODI results have offered grounds for optimism. They swept Sri Lanka 3-0 at home in November 2025, defeated South Africa 2-1 and beat Australia by the same margin in home series in May and June 2026. However, they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Bangladesh in March.
Fakhar acknowledged the pressure on senior players to deliver, saying criticism was an inevitable part of the professional sport when results did not go their way.
“When you perform, you get appreciation from fans. When you don’t do well, then it is natural that things don’t feel good,” he said.
“Every person, senior and junior, tries to do their best and improve in their profession.”
Pakistan have not won a major global cricket title in recent years, and Fakhar said the squad understood the importance of turning promising performances into silverware.
“We are excited right now, and we definitely have this thought in the back of our minds that it has been a long time since we won a big event,” he said.
“We have reached finals and played semi-finals, but the happiness that you get as a nation after winning the trophy is something you don’t get, no matter how many finals or semi-finals you play.”
The stage for the tri-series is set as England also arrived on Friday and will undergo training on Saturday (today). Pakistan and Sri Lanka have started their preparation from Thursday.
The series will be played under double league round robin format with the top two teams progressing to the October 31 final.