The Pakistani team had just completed the first training session for the Asia Cup at the ICC Academy when the Indian players arrived at the ...
The Pakistani team had just completed the first training session for the Asia Cup at the ICC Academy when the Indian players arrived at the stadium for practice.
According to the report of the news agencies published in the Dawn newspaper, the two traditional rivals will face each other in the group 'A' match of the six-nation tournament on Sunday, but the batting coach of the national team, Muhammad Yusuf, has his sights set beyond this match.
Speaking to reporters after the training session, Mohammad Yusuf said that our first goal is to win the Asia Cup and our full focus is on that, when asked if Pakistan team Pak. Is India ready for competition? To which he replied that our preparation is for the entire tournament, our focus is only Pak. India is not on the match but our aim is to win the whole tournament.
Also Read: Asia Cup: The national team will enter the field against India with new confidence, Wasim Akram
Pakistan defeated India in the T20 World Cup in October last year, which was Pakistan's first victory against the arch-rivals in World Cup competitions.
Mohammad Yusuf said that Pakistani players will perform well in the Asia Cup with self-confidence. Babar Azam has won 3 of his last 4 international T20 matches after losing the semi-final to Australia in the World Cup last year. The national team under the leadership also swept Netherlands after West Indies in ODI matches.
He further said that the players are performing and will also win matches, if we talk about the role of the coaching staff, we are fully cooperating with the players so that they perform well on the field.
Muhammad Yusuf praised the captain Babar Azam and said that Babar Azam is performing well on the field and as a captain.
Read more: Asia Cup Cricket: Pak-India clash on August 28 in Dubai
He said that Babar has proved that he is a top cricketer, he has proved with his greatness that he can perform very well under all kinds of pressure.
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to injury, but Mohammad Yousuf refrained from commenting on how the return of Mohammad Hasnain in place of Shaheen Afridi would prove for the team.
He said that this is not my department, you have to ask the head coach or the bowling coach about it.
Umar Rashid will support Australia's Shaun Tait
Pakistan's fast bowling coach Shaun Tait will be assisted by well-known bowling coach Umar Rashid during the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said that Umar Rashid was included in the player support personnel list on the recommendation of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.
Umar Rashid has worked with Pakistan's emerging batsmen at the PCB's National High Performance Center and also helped Hasnain's return to international cricket after his bowling action was ruled illegal.
Also Read: Shaheen Shah Afridi Will Be Missed In Asia Cup, Babar Azam
Mohammad Hasnain was last seen in action for Pakistan in the T20 series at home against the West Indies in December last year and it will be no less than a challenge for him to prove his mettle in Shaheen's place.
However, head coach Saqlain fully supported the bowling unit in his interview with the Press Trust of India news agency.
Saqleen said that Shaheen's exit from the Asia Cup is a big blow for us as Shaheen has proved himself on every platform and performed well against the best batsmen.
He said that it is not easy to find a replacement for Shaheen because of his quality bowling, although our batsmen are not that experienced but they have enough confidence and passion.
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