Fakhar Zaman is confident Pakistan will repeat CT 2017 performance against India in the Asia Cup

Fakhar Zaman, the talented opener from Pakistan has broken a string of records recently in the limited-overs cricket, but he is eager to play the longer format. The 28-year-old left-hander who took the least number of innings to score a thousand ODI runs is looking forward to playing in Pakistan’s Test series against Australia scheduled to be played in the UAE in October.

Zaman, who became the first Pakistani batsman to slam a double hundred in ODIs against Zimbabwe in July, is making rigorous preparations for the two-Test series against the Aussies at their adopted home and said he won’t let down those who feel he could make a good batsman in Tests too.

In an interview to Daily Express, the Pakistani batsman said: “I’m eager to play Test cricket. Currently I’m rigorously preparing for the series against Australia and hope that I will be given an opportunity during the series.”

Optimistic about Pakistan’s Asia Cup chances

Zaman, however, will have a bigger test prior to the Australia series when he takes guard against formidable opponents like India in Asia Cup next month. Pakistan are clubbed with India in the same group and are likely to play them in the Super Four stage as well. The opener played a key role in Pakistan’s victory over India in the final of the Champions Trophy in England last year as he slammed a ton to win the Man of the Match award. That has remained the last match between the two arch-rivals so far.

Speaking on Asia Cup, Zaman said Pakistan will put up a good show and are eager to replicate their Champions Trophy success in the upcoming tournament as well.

“We are preparing adequately in order to perform to the best of our ability. We are capable of repeating the performance we showed in the last Champions Trophy in England,” he said. Zaman also added that his knock in the final is the most memorable in his short career so far.

“Players are putting in the hard yards and hopefully we will perform in accordance with the expectations of the entire nation.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, is yet to release the official schedule of the Australia series owing to packed cricket itinerary around that time. Pakistan will also play a full-fledged series with New Zealand after the one with Australia.

[interaction id=”5b7ac88fafc9e434371cc48b”]

For all the latest cricket news and other updates follow CricTracker.