Fakhar Zaman, 36, eyes 2027 World Cup as 'one last shot': 140 runs short of 4,000 ODI runs

Fakhar Zaman says the 2027 ODI World Cup is his chance to end Pakistan's wait for a global title, and that the squad is preparing for South African conditions with that in mind. "We know it's been quite a while since we've won a major tournament," the opener told reporters at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday 16 October, Dawn reported. Pakistan open the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday 18 October.

Fakhar Zaman's ODI record

Fakhar was 27 when his hundred helped Pakistan beat India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, the country's last global trophy. Since then Pakistan have lost a T20 World Cup semi-final in 2021 and the final in 2022, and had poor ICC events in the four years after. The 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia is almost certainly his last, and probably the last for Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi as well, Dawn wrote.

What he said

• On the drought: the players have discussed it at length and many take it very seriously. Reaching semi-finals and finals, he said, never brings the joy a trophy does.
• On the squad: the combination "is looking very good".
• On pitches: the Rawalpindi wickets have been prepared to resemble the conditions Pakistan expect in South Africa.
• On formats: ODI cricket is his favourite. After long spells in first-class cricket, 50 overs do not feel long; players who play mostly T20s may find it harder.

The ODI players are joining the camp from the President's Trophy, the departmental first-class event, which Fakhar said gives them rhythm. Dawn reported a planned balance of four bowlers, six batters and one all-rounder for South African conditions.

The road to 2027

1. Pakistan ODI tri-series, 18 to 31 October: Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England play each other twice, the first three games in Rawalpindi and the rest and the final in Lahore. Schedule in PKT, squads and how to watch: Pakistan tri-series 2026.
2. Five ODIs in England, May 2027.
3. The World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with most of Pakistan's matches in South Africa.

Recent bilateral wins have lifted Pakistan to fifth in the ODI rankings and sixth in T20Is. Live scores and today's fixtures are in our cricket match centre.