RAWALPINDI: Insisting that he has been working hard to bring consistency in his batting, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday said he would try his best to do well in the forthcoming ODI and Twenty20 series at home against Zimbabwe.

“The whole world had been locked down due to the way circumstances were because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is a good sign for the revival of cricket that Zimbabwe have come to Pakistan. The two practice matches between both teams had been helpful and the players were feeling better,” the left-handed Fakhar said in a video conference on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Fakhar said he would give his 100 percent in the series.

“I am working on myself. I try to get quick runs and give a speedy start to my team as it’s my style therefore ups and downs happen as I take the risk,” the Mardan-born player said.

He said he was working on to bring consistency in his game and had been playing the four-day cricket.

“You learn from your failures. I have never thought that my place in the team was in danger as I try to give my 100 per cent in the game. It is a good sign for Pakistan cricket that competition is increasing among players. I wish more players come forward and compete so that the best can play for Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe all-rounder Wesley Madhevere said he was excited to be in Pakistan for the first time.

“I have heard so many great things about Pakistan, the history, the cricket here, the people, the places and being here is amazing,” he said.

He said he was looking forward to the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan.

“It was great to share the dressing room with the players. We got a strong team and have got a good chance to win games.”

The ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, starting on Friday, would mark the return of ODI cricket to the Pindi Cricket Stadium after 14 years.—APP

Our Sports Reporter from Rawalpindi adds: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday said that all players of Pakistan and Zimbabwe, support personnel and match officials have tested negative for Covid-19.

“A total of 107 Covid-19 tests, conducted on the players and player support personnel of Zimbabwe and Pakistan sides as well as the match officials, have returned negative,” said a statement issued by the PCB.

According to the statement, the tests were conducted on Monday as part of PCB’s Covid-19 protocols following the assembling of the two sides in Islamabad.

“All 107 participants have now entered the bio-secure bubble in a five-star luxury hotel and are now allowed to interact with each other and move freely within the bio-secure bubble,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, both sides held training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan face Zimbabwe at the same venue on Friday in the first ODI, followed by second ODI on Nov 1 and third and final on Nov 3 at the same venue.

The three-game ODI series will be followed by as many Twenty20 Internationals between the two teams — to be staged at the same venue — on Nov 7, 8 and 10.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2020