Pakistan’s team director, Mickey Arthur, expressed optimism and sought divine help as the team aims to secure a spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Pakistan has gained momentum with consecutive wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand, thanks in large part to opener Fakhar Zaman’s outstanding performances. To make it to the semi-finals, Pakistan not only needs to beat England in their last game but also rely on favorable results from the New Zealand-Sri Lanka match. Afghanistan could also potentially surpass Pakistan based on their performance in the remaining matches. Arthur praised Zaman, stating that his presence has had a transformative effect on the team. Zaman’s recent knock of 126 runs against New Zealand contributed significantly to Pakistan’s pursuit of a challenging target. Reflecting on Zaman’s form and aggressive style, Arthur emphasized the importance of maintaining his current momentum in the upcoming match against England. The PCB chief, Zaka Ashraf, addressed reports of rifts within the team, asserting that the team is united despite recent losses. He rubbished rumors surrounding former chief selector Inzamamul Haq’s resignation and internal conflicts, stating that such claims were spread by enemies of the team. Ashraf also mentioned his support for increasing player salaries to retain talent and prevent them from leaving for foreign leagues. He emphasized the need for players to prioritize national tournaments over other leagues.