India game on mind as Sarfraz Ahmed’s Pakistan prepares for Asia Cup

[Switchblade]

Quote

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-game-on-mind-as-sarfraz-ahmed-s-pakistan-prepares-for-asia-cup/story-ZaYz87OoPhopWPNZ5GI7rO.html

 

India might have rested regular skipper Virat Kohli for the Asia Cup, but Pakistan is using the tournament as preparation ground for the 2019 World Cup. The India-Pakistan clash on September 19 is without doubt the most awaited clash of the tournament and Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed echoes the sentiments and feels that it is an important game for his team.

Sarfraz is quick to point that the team’s victory over arch-rivals India in the final of the Champions Trophy doesn’t hold any standing as that happened back in 2017. “Every match against India is important. This (Asia Cup) is the beginning of our road to the event (World Cup) as we don’t have much time in between,” he told Cricbuzz. “That match (Champions Trophy final) is in the past. It was almost one and a half years ago. So, I don’t think we should consider it that much. If we play India in the final, then we will be playing them thrice. All professional teams put the past behind and look forward. Both teams will do the same.”

Sarfraz feels that momentum will play an important role as was experienced by the team during the Champions Trophy as well. “Momentum is very important. During the Champions Trophy, we carried forward the momentum which we had gotten against South Africa and Sri Lanka. We will try to do the same here... We will try to gain momentum in our first match [against Hong Kong] and go into the contest against India with full preparation,” he said.

Having hosted home games in the UAE, Pakistan are pretty aware of the conditions and the skipper feels that the fast bowlers will get help under lights due to the humid conditions on offer.

“The weather is hot, so it becomes difficult to bat in humid conditions under lights as the fast-bowlers get to swing the ball in humidity,” he said. “We will try to access the conditions. We have two-three sessions under lights. Of course, every side will look to bat first and put runs on the board due to the hot weather.

“Pitches are on the slower side in the UAE, so spinners will have a role to play. Our batsmen and bowlers are in top form. We will look to score more than 300 if we bat first because we possess a bowling unit that can defend that total. We are not focusing on one area, we will focus on all three aspects of the game and try to put a good show.”

Sarfraz feels that foreign coaches have helped increase professionalism in the team and he believes that this is one of the fittest Pakistan sides.

“The foreign coaches have instilled professionalism in the side. We have gotten more fit. Previously, our team average [on the yo-yo test] used to be 17. It was 18.7 this time. The five rounds that we did in nine minutes, we are now doing them under eight. A lot of things have improved like the rotation of strike. Our batting [line-up] is chasing 280-290 now. The boys are young like Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, and Babar Azam, and they are still learning. What is good is that the boys are trying to keep up with modern standards like staying at the wicket and keeping the scoring rate at 100 or above,” he signed off.

 

[Khota]

India lives in their head rent free 24/7/365.

Frankly speaking this obsession is unhealthy.

Edited September 11, 2018 by Khota

[Moochad]

Why do they mention India every time, is it the media bothering the players with question on India or do the players go out of their way for this?

 

It's a bit weird honestly 

[Switchblade]

8 minutes ago, Moochad said:

Why do they mention India every time, is it the media bothering the players with question on India or do the players go out of their way for this?

 

It's a bit weird honestly 

Media asks them questions.

[Switchblade]

8 minutes ago, Moochad said:

Why do they mention India every time, is it the media bothering the players with question on India or do the players go out of their way for this?

 

It's a bit weird honestly 

Agree with you regarding their players for them match vs India is like be all and end all have seen this countless number of times with their players.

[Rightarmfast]

It is like how it was for us in 80's and 90's. We were obsessed with Pakistan cricket team because they were so much better than us. Now, they are so far behind, they cant wait to beat us. 

[Switchblade]

@Moochad now Faheem Ashraf and Younis Khan have given statements regarding India match .

[Nikola]

This asia cup we are actually going underdogs and other teams are doing same mistake which we did during ct 2017. Hopefully we will win this asia cup.

[rkt.india]

how did this fatso clear Yo Yo at 18.7?

[Switchblade]

5 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

how did this fatso clear Yo Yo at 18.7?

Looked bit slimmer in his recent interview.

[Switchblade]

8 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

how did this fatso clear Yo Yo at 18.7?

How are you feeling about India vs Pakistan how do you rate our chances?

[rkt.india]

27 minutes ago, Switchblade said:

How are you feeling about India vs Pakistan how do you rate our chances?

no expectations

[Switchblade]

9 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

no expectations

That must be the reason you remain chilled out even when India win or lose have never seen you getting too emotional or angry or excited .

Edited September 13, 2018 by Switchblade

[Switchblade]

Younis Khan "I am optimistic that Pakistan will beat India in the Asia Cup as they will go into the tournament with a positive mindset and have some very good players

Younis Khan "Pakistan and India should play more cricket matches against each other as this will help to ease tensions between the neighbours"

[Switchblade]

Faheem Ashraf "Every Pakistani cricketer has dreams and hopes of playing against India and performing well in that match"