KOLKATA: The Pakis­tan camp is dejected by the way the team have fared so far in the World Cup but the players are not ready to give up yet, says opener Fakhar Zaman.

Heaps of criticism have been thrown towards the national side for having failed to turn up as the number one ranked ODI side were going into the 50-over showpiece.

Pakistan have registered only two victories in their six matches in the tournament so far, and with just three more to go, achieving a place in the semi-finals will require no less than a miracle.

Although hurt by their own performances, Pakistan will look to find their drive through belief.

“As cricketers, we can’t give up and we haven’t,” Fakhar told a gathering of reporters at the team’s hotel in Kolkata on Sunday.

“I’ve seen how everyone is still hopeful and keeping up the hard work,” added the left-hander who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury.

“I see every day how diligently they [players] work to try and rectify their weaker areas.”

Pakistan, after losing against India, Australia and Afghanistan clinically, bounced back with renewed fire and energy to almost get back to winning ways against the high-flying South Africa, only to lose by one wicket in Chennai on Friday.

Fakhar believed Pakistan demonstrated their ability to rise from adversity in the clash against the Proteas.

“You saw how we gave tough time to South Africa,” said the 33-year-old, adding that criticism was a given if the team don’t win.

“Whenever we start losing matches, many negative things come up but when days are good even our mistakes go unseen,” Fakhar quipped.

The explosive batter was assured there have been no let-ups in Pakistan’s preparation and training ahead of the remaining matches in India.

“On match days, you have to be the team who commit less mistakes than the opponent,” he highlighted. “But so far most of the time it has been the other way round for us.”

Fakhar was dropped from Pakistan’s first 11 following a long run of poor form and before he could make a comeback, a knee injury extended his time out of the field.

“Losing your form starts with a technical difficulty but then it gets to your head as well,” he said. “You start over analysing your shots and it makes things even more complicated.

“Now, however, I feel I’ve improved.”

Although in good batt­ing touch, Fakhar still needs to get fully fit to return to action, and the player said there was progress on that front as well.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2023