Pakistan's white-ball team captain, Muhammad Rizwan, expressed confidence in his side's preparations and potential as they gear up for the challenging South Africa series.
Addressing the media on Monday, Rizwan clarified that star batsman Fakhar Zaman's absence from the squad was due to illness and not any personal issues.
"No one has any personal issues with Fakhar Zaman. Selectors and everyone knows he is a match-winner," he said.
Reflecting on Pakistan's recent outings, Rizwan acknowledged mixed results in tours of Australia and Zimbabwe but remained hopeful for a strong showing in South Africa.
"How we performed in the past doesn't matter. Players performed well in Australia and Zimbabwe. Playing abroad is always a test, but our players have shown their mettle," he remarked, adding that the series with South Africa was a challenge, but he hoped for a good performance.
Rizwan praised the talent emerging from domestic cricket events, noting their contribution to strengthening the national team. "We expect to build the best team for big events," he said, adding that the return of senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah's return to the team was welcome.
Rizwan highlighted the bowling lineup as a potential game-changer. "The conditions in South Africa will favour our bowlers, and the combination of young and experienced players will give the South African team a tough time," he stated.
With confidence in the team’s preparations and the depth of talent, Rizwan vowed to maintain Pakistan's winning streak and make a mark in the series.
