Fakhar Zaman Targets 2027 Cricket World Cup as Pakistan Chase ICC Glory
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is determined to help the national team end its long wait for a major ICC title at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The left-handed batter, who will be 37 during the tournament, could be approaching his final opportunity to win another major international trophy with Pakistan. His generation, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will also be eager to deliver success on the global stage.
Fakhar played a memorable role in Pakistan’s victory at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, scoring a century against India in the final. That triumph remains Pakistan’s most recent global ICC title, despite the team reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 edition.
Speaking to reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, Fakhar acknowledged the team’s desire to turn recent progress into tournament success.
He said that reaching semi-finals and finals could not replace the satisfaction of winning a major trophy. According to the experienced batter, Pakistan’s players have discussed the issue seriously and are committed to making every effort to bring another title home.
Pakistan Begin World Cup Preparations
Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup will gain momentum through the upcoming ODI tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and England.
The competition will follow a double round-robin format, with the opening three matches scheduled in Rawalpindi. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the remaining league fixtures and the final, which is scheduled for October 31.
Fakhar said the team would approach the series with the next World Cup in mind. He also indicated that the pitches were being prepared to help players adapt to conditions expected in South Africa, where Pakistan will play most of their matches.
The squad’s composition, featuring four specialist bowlers, six batters and an all-rounder, reflects the team management’s focus on developing a balanced combination for the tournament.
Fakhar expressed confidence in the current setup, saying the team’s combination was taking shape and that the World Cup remained a key consideration during preparations.
First-Class Cricket Expected to Boost Performance
The Pakistan batter also highlighted the benefits of domestic first-class cricket for players preparing for the 50-over format.
Several members of the ODI squad have been involved in the ongoing President’s Trophy, a domestic first-class competition featuring departmental teams. Fakhar believes the workload and match practice gained from longer-format cricket can help players maintain their rhythm in one-day internationals.
He explained that players accustomed to spending long periods at the crease and on the field may find the 50-over format more manageable than those who primarily play T20 cricket.
The experience gained through domestic competitions, combined with the squad’s international exposure, could prove valuable as Pakistan build towards the World Cup.
Fakhar Closing in on 4,000 ODI Runs
Fakhar has remained a consistent contributor in one-day international cricket since his breakthrough performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
According to the figures reported ahead of the tri-series, he has scored 3,861 runs in 92 ODIs at an average above 45. With several matches scheduled during the upcoming competition, the opener will have an opportunity to reach the 4,000-run milestone.
Pakistan are also scheduled to play a five-match ODI series in England in May 2027, providing further preparation ahead of the global tournament.
Fakhar described ODI cricket as his favourite format and expressed particular enthusiasm about returning to the 50-over game.
With the 2027 World Cup approaching, Pakistan will hope that their experienced players can combine individual performances with consistent team results. For Fakhar, the tournament represents an opportunity to add another major achievement to a career already defined by one of Pakistan cricket’s most memorable victories.
