Fakhar Zaman backs Pakistan team amid criticism as Naseem Shah vows stronger comeback

LAHORE: Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has urged fans to remain patient with the national team, insisting that the players, not the management or coaching staff, must shoulder responsibility for the side’s recent struggles. Speaking to reporters at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, Fakhar acknowledged that criticism is inevitable when the team fails to win but expressed confidence that Pakistan would bounce back.

“When you don’t win, people will criticise you. That’s part of the game,” he said. “Every team goes through a difficult phase, but I can assure you that you will see a much better Pakistan team in the future.”

The left-handed opener defended the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), team management and coaches, saying it was unfair to hold them solely responsible for poor results.

“It is wrong to blame the management, the board or the coaches. Players have the responsibility to perform consistently,” he said, adding that every member of the squad strives to deliver in every match despite the pressure of international cricket.

Reflecting on the team’s recent performances, Fakhar described the period since 2022 as a “learning phase” and said he hoped the difficult spell would end soon. He also revealed that discussions had taken place with the team management regarding his batting position but stressed that the team’s requirements would always come first.

“If the team needs me in a particular role, the team comes first. We are all on the same page,” he said.

Fakhar also backed young talent, saying players who prove their ability should be given opportunities without delay.

“If someone can take my place, they should be picked tomorrow,” he remarked, adding that representing Pakistan remained the biggest motivation for any cricketer. Looking ahead, Fakhar said his immediate goal was the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, noting that the conditions there suited his batting style.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Naseem Shah admitted that his performances had fallen below expectations and said he was focused on regaining top form. “My performances haven’t been what they should have been. If you’re not performing, nothing else matters,” he said.

Naseem acknowledged that Pakistan’s bowling unit had underperformed in recent matches but said the rapid evolution of modern cricket had presented fresh challenges.

“Cricket has changed dramatically. Teams are regularly scoring over 300 in ODIs and 200 in T20s, and some are even crossing 400 in one-day cricket. We have to adapt to those changes,” he said.

The pacer added that he had used his recent break from cricket to improve his physical fitness and insisted that not every injury could be linked to conditioning. On workload management, Naseem said it was the responsibility of players to manage themselves across formats, while the final decision on which formats they play rested with the team management. He also expressed hope that one day he would have the opportunity to represent Pakistan alongside his two brothers, calling it a proud moment if it became a reality.