Pakistan Cup great for country’s cricket, says Zaman

Balochistan captain satisfied with his and team’s performance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman believes that the recently-concluded Pakistan Cup will help in developing country’s cricket in the years to come.

The 27-year-old, who was the captain of the losing finalists, Balochistan, said that he was pleased to see a highly competitive final.

“To be honest, I felt really good after such a competitive final,” said Zaman while talking to The Express Tribune. “But since we lost the final and that too of such a big event, it is always disappointing, more so because after a long time I was representing Balochistan and I really wanted my team to win a major domestic tournament.

“I think this tournament will definitely help cricket in this country. In the beginning of the tournament, even 285 was not easily chased, but then the teams realised that on this pitch, we can score more runs, which is why later in the tournament, teams managed to chase huge totals as well.”

Zaman, who recently made his debut for the Men in Green in the T20I format on the tour of West Indies, remained in fine form throughout the tournament and scored 308 runs with the average of 61.20 — striking one century and three half-centuries in five matches — said that he is overall satisfied with his personal and team’s performance.

“As far as my personal performance is concerned, I am extremely pleased with it. Yes I missed out in the final, but that was because I was in fever, but apart from that I am satisfied with my performance,” he said.

He further added, “As a group, our performance was right up there. Even in the final, we were up against a really good opposition, and there was so much dew on the field which made it extremely difficult for us, but the players kept trying which was really satisfying for me.”