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'Positive approach the reason for Zaman's success': Aamer Sohail

'Positive approach the reason for Zaman's success': Aamer Sohail
September 13, 2018
LAHORE (92 News) – Aamer Sohail, the former Pakistan batsman, has hailed Fakhar Zaman's positive approach to batting, and said the left-hand opener could play a crucial role in the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.
Zaman's stock has been on the rise ever since he scored a match-winning 114 against India in the final of Pakistan's victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2017 campaign. Against Zimbabwe in July, he scored a 156-ball 210 to become the first Pakistan batsman to score a double-century in one-day internationals, and in doing so, he went past Saeed Anwar's 194, which was previously the highest score by a Pakistan batsman. "The reason behind Zaman's success has to be his positive approach," said Sohail. "No matter what the situation, he goes out and bats positively." "He (Zaman) doesn't allow any bulls to fight in his head, and knows that going out and playing positive cricket is what's best for him. That has been the key to his success." For the best part of a decade, Pakistan have been playing their home matches in the United Arab Emirates, and Sohail said that would be a big advantage for the side in the Asia Cup, in which they are grouped with India and Hong Kong. "Pakistan will definitely have an upper hand against all the teams as they have played in the UAE more than everybody else," said Sohail, who played 156 ODIs and 47 Tests between 1990 and 2000. However, Sohail also advised Pakistan to study the opposition thoroughly. "India and Sri Lanka are tough teams and good competition is expected from them," he said. "So Pakistan must monitor carefully how the opposition is executing its plans." Pakistan start their Asia Cup campaign on Sunday, 16 September against Hong Kong, before clashing with India on 19 September. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the other three teams in the six-nation tournament, set to begin on 15 September.