Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, expressed confidence that his team holds an advantage over India in their upcoming Asia Cup Super Four clash, citing their strong bowling lineup capable of winning matches and tournaments.
The arch-rivals are set to face off in Colombo on Sunday after their initial group match was abandoned due to rain, which has disrupted the 50-over tournament leading up to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.
Pakistan emerged victorious in their first Super Four match, and another win would significantly boost their chances of reaching the final on September 17. However, the weather in Colombo is expected to be a potential obstacle once more, and a reserve day has been scheduled for the match.
Azam noted, “You can say we have the edge as we have been consistently playing cricket here in Sri Lanka and in Pakistan over the past two and a half months. This includes the Test series, Lanka Premier League, Afghanistan series, and now the Asia Cup. So, you can consider it an advantage for us.”
Pakistan’s trio of fast bowlers, comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, has been impressive, collectively taking 23 wickets and playing a pivotal role in the team’s performance. Shaheen, the left-arm quick leading the attack, made a significant impact in the group match against India, claiming crucial wickets like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Azam expressed his confidence in their bowlers, stating, “I’m proud to have the fast bowlers that we have; they are among the best in the world. Fast bowlers are instrumental in winning tournaments and matches, and I have complete faith in them. The bowling lineup we possess, including Naseem and Faheem Ashraf, is the best we have, and they believe in each other and work well in partnerships.”