'Our team’s morale is high and they will perform well in the upcoming Asia Cup. The team has prepared a lot for the tournament and we will try our best to perform well in all three categories,' Sarfraz Ahmed said
Lahore: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is hoping to create history again when they face India in the Asia Cup, which stars on September 15 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
With no bilateral series between the countries, the neighbours meet only in multi-team tournaments. Pakistan had beaten India in last year’s ICC Champions Trophy final in June and Sarfraz is aiming to repeat that in Asia Cup too.
“Our match against India is crucial and Insha Allah we will create history again. We need to end our failures against India,” Sarfraz said.
India and Pakistan will play in Dubai on September 19 in the round-robin stage.
The 31-year-old Sarfraz, who led Pakistan to a memorable triumph in Champions Trophy, said his team’s morale is high.
“Our team’s morale is high and they will perform well in the upcoming Asia Cup. The team has prepared a lot for the tournament and we will try our best to perform well in all three categories,” the wicketkeeper-batsman added.
“Our battling line-up has the ability to set good targets. If we bat first, then we will aim to score over 300 runs. The fitness of the players has improved and there are many positive developments in the team. We are not relying on only one department and we are looking to perform well in all three — fielding, batting and bowling,” Sarfraz said.
India will be without their regular captain Virat Kohli, who has been rested for Asia Cup. Rohit Sharma will lead the side with Shikhar Dhawan as his deputy.
Apart from India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in the fray. The tournament ends on September 28.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.