Pakistan kept their World Cup 2023 semi-final hopes alive with a 21-run victory (DLS method) over New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru last Saturday (November 4).
However, the Men in Green rely on the result of other teams, especially New Zealand to make it to the final four.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's team director Mickey Arthur has sought "divine help" as the 1992 champions braced for one last push to seal a sport in the World Cup semis.
Arthur also showered praise on the "game-changing" opener Fakhar Zaman, who has played a key role in Pakistan’s last two wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
While the southpaw scored 81 off 74 balls versus New Zealand, he slammed 126* off 81 balls in a rain-marred affair against the Kiwis.
"Who knows how we are going to go in this competition," Arthur quoted as saying by AFP.
"I have a real feeling we're going to get to the semi-finals but let's see what happens. What we do know is that it will in our hands come Saturday.
"With a little bit of divine help, we can get to the semi-final but we have to play well. We played the perfect game once, I think, and that was against Bangladesh."
With eight points from as many games, Pakistan not only need to beat England in their last league match but also hope that New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka.
Moreover, Afghanistan can also qualify for the semi-final by defeating Australia and South Africa in their last two league fixtures.
Lauding Fakhar Zaman, Arthur said: "Since Fakhar has come in he has just been unbelievable."
"Sometimes in campaigns like this it takes something to just ignite it and Fakhar certainly ignited that for us.
"We know when he plays well he is exceptional. I have always been a massive backer of Fakhar because I think he can change games."
Chasing 402 to win, Fakhar Zaman took on the Kiwi bowlers right from the word go. The left-hander completed his half-century in 38 balls and then accelerated the run-scoring even further. As a result, he reached the three-figure mark in 63 balls – the fastest by a Pakistani batter in World Cup history.
Pakistan were cruising in the chase at 160/1 after 21.3 overs when rain arrived and halted the game for nearly one hour. After the interruption, the Men in Green were set a revised target of 342 in 41 overs and Fakhar continued his carnage.
However, the drizzle returned in the 26th over with Pakistan on 200/1. This time around, it was heavier and the game was eventually called off.
Since Pakistan were 21 runs ahead of the DLS par score, they were declared winners in what was a virtual knock-out match for them.
"Obviously, Fakhar coming into the side breathed a new lease of life into us. It was tough not having him at the start. His form coming into the competition was a little bit patchy," Arthur said.
Fakhar, 33, was left out of the playing XI after scoring just 12 in Pakistan's first World Cup match against the Netherlands. He then missed the next five matches with a recurrence of a knee injury.
"He (Zaman) changes games whenever he bats, the longer he bats the more dominant we become," said Arthur.
"So, it is really important for us that we keep Fakhar in this type of form and it's really important that he takes this form and aggression and precision with his batting into the game against England."
Arthur said Pakistan will have to lift their game against England despite the defending champions' dismal World Cup campaign.
"Let's hope we are saving ourselves for a batting, bowling and fielding performance against England and then what will be, will be," he concluded.
(With AFP Inputs)
