Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan states he is focused on playing for the team, not on breaking personal records like Virat Kohli's T20 WC high score. He also expressed confidence about facing England's pacer Jofra Archer in their upcoming match.
Team Over Personal Records
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan said he does not focus on the record or statistics and is emphasising his priority in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup, saying he is playing for the team rather than chasing milestones. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Pakistan's upcoming fixtures against England on Tuesday, Shahibzada addressed questions about Indian batter Virat Kohli's record of 319 runs--the highest in T20 World Cup history--and whether he had personal records in mind or not. "If you ask me personally, I don't look at the stats, I don't look at records. Even when I perform, people tell me that I have hit so many sixes, played so many strikes, and scored so many runs. So I don't look at the stats. The important thing is that you have to take risks in T20. If you take the pressure of breaking records, the same records are broken; they are made to break. So it is not my focus, but I will try to finish at the top. And for Pakistan, it will be beneficial for Pakistan and Pakistan's name will be made known," Farhan said.
Kohli hammered 319 runs in the 2024 edition. In six matches, the right-handed batter had an astonishing average of 106.33, including four half-centuries. Kohli's 319 is the most by any cricketer in the history of the tournament. Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Shahibzada has notched up 220 runs so far in the 2026 edition and still has at least two matches remaining in the ongoing tournament. The right-handed batter, who is the leading run-getter, has smashed one fifty and one century in five matches at an average of 73.33.
On Facing Jofra Archer
When asked about facing England speedster Jofra Archer, Farhan expressed confidence, dismissing concerns about Archer being a major threat. "No, it's not a big deal to face Jofra Archer. We have already faced him in Pakistan. We have good bowlers; they also bowl at 145. So it's not a big deal. Yes, as you said, they will definitely have planned it, but I have also planned it. It's not that only he will have plans. So, we will see. It will be a good match," Farhan said.
Super 8 Fixtures
Pakistan's opening fixture in the Super 8 stage against New Zealand was washed out due to rain in Colombo. The Men in Green will face England on February 24 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. (ANI)
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