COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said on Saturday that his side will have an edge over India in their Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash, with a bowling line-up ready to win matches and tournaments.
The arch-rivals meet again in Colombo on Sunday after their Asia Cup 2023 group match was abandoned due to rain, which has played havoc with the 50-over tournament that is a precursor to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.
Pakistan won their opening match of the Asia Cup’s Super 4 stage and a second win will further enhance their chances of making the final on September 17.
But rain in the Sri Lankan capital is expected to play spoilsport again in the match, for which a reserve day has been kept aside.
“You can say we have the edge as we have played back-to-back cricket here (in Sri Lanka) and in Pakistan,” Azam told reporters.
“It has been two-and-a-half months in Sri Lanka including the Test series, Lanka Premier League, Afghanistan series and now the Asia Cup.
“So you can say it will be advantage (for us).”
Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have stood out with 23 wickets between them and played a key role in the team’s performance so far.
Shaheen, a left-arm quick who leads the bowling, rattled India with his opening burst in the Asia Cup 2023 group match, taking the key wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Azam said the team believes their bowlers can win them titles.
“Proud to have the fast bowlers that we have. One of the best (in the world),” said Azam.
“Fast bowlers win you tournaments and matches and I have total belief (in) them. The line-up that we have including Naseem and Faheem (Ashraf) is the best lot that we have. They have the belief and how they bowl in partnerships.”
READ: Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza named among ICC World Cup 2023 umpires
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed his support for pace bowler Mohammad Amir, stating that…
Erling Haaland has urged his Manchester City teammates to "relax" after they closed in on…
DUBLIN: Pakistan's white-ball captain, Babar Azam, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the Ireland…
DUBAI: Sri Lanka's T20I captain Waninda Hasaranga and Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan are…
India will play the second semi-final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup…
MADRID: Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior inspired runaway La Liga champions Real Madrid to a…