The silence in Rawalpindi speaks volumes. Pakistan hasn’t lifted an ICC trophy since 2017, a drought that has stretched into eight years of heartbreak and hollow final appearances. Fakhar Zaman, the veteran top-order batter, didn’t shy away from the weight of that label. He admitted to PTI that the players have held “extensive discussions” about the burden resting on their shoulders. It’s not just about playing well anymore; it’s about delivering the one thing the fans are screaming for.
But Zaman drew a sharp line between reaching the final and actually winning. “The happiness you experience as a nation after winning a trophy is different from reaching semi-finals or finals,” he noted. That distinction matters. Losing the 2022 T20 World Cup final to England in Melbourne still stings. The public disappointment is real, but so is the reward when things go right. “When you perform well, people show you more love,” Zaman said, a reminder that the adoration is conditional on the scoreboard.
The immediate focus shifts to the upcoming tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka. This isn’t just a warm-up; it’s a laboratory. Zaman emphasized that the squad is building a “perfect combination” for the 50-over World Cup, noting that most players are coming in fresh from domestic cricket. He highlighted a tactical advantage: players who have just played 50-over domestic cricket adapt far easier to the ODI format than those jumping straight from the T20 frenzy. The grind of First-Class cricket, followed by 50-over matches, provides a rhythm that pure T20 specialists often lack.
There’s also a defensive wall up around the recent 0-3 Test series loss to England. Zaman brushed off concerns, insisting that red-ball and white-ball cricket require completely different mental frameworks. “There are certain things we cannot discuss on camera,” he hinted, suggesting internal strategy sessions have been intense. He pointed to significant changes within the team structure as a source of renewed hope, claiming the preparation trajectory is pointing directly toward the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The next tri-series is the first major checkpoint. If Pakistan wants to break the curse, the combination they settle on there will be the blueprint for the tournament in 2026.