Exuding self assurance, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Monday mentioned the workforce’s gamers are pushed via a powerful “hunger” for good fortune as they prepared their attractions on clinching the coveted Asia Cup and Global Cup titles. Untouched from their 4-1 house form win over Unutilized Zealand, Pakistan are lately in pursuit of the manage spot in ODI ratings. They’ll really well dethrone Australia as the arena’s Number 1 aspect with a 3-0 whitewash over Afghanistan of their Asia Cup build-up form starting in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
“Every player has a hunger to perform in this team. Every player wants to give match-winning performances,” Azam mentioned in Hambantota at the eve in their three-match ODI form in opposition to Afghanistan.
The form shall be a prelude to their Asia Cup marketing campaign. “Recently we have had different player of the match award winners, which is a good sign for any team. When you perform in big tournaments, it boosts your morale as a team and as individuals and this team has performed well in the recent past. Bowlers win you big tournaments and I have faith in them to win us big tournaments,” he said.
Pakistan may never have been defeated by Afghanistan in ODIs, but Azam acknowledged that the upcoming series could be challenging as their opponents would be coming from a 2-1 away victory in Bangladesh.
“We are focused in our preparations as we have big events in the Asia Cup and the World Cup coming up,” said Babar, under whose captaincy Pakistan have won 17 out of 26 ODIs. “But, at the same time, we want to take one series at a time… It is always beneficial for a team to get such a series ahead of major events.
“That we’re taking part in in Asian situations will no doubt grant us an edge and assistance us get within the rhythm. The Afghanistan workforce is at the be on one?s feet and they have got some excellent bowlers. The lovers gets to look some thrilling cricket.” On flow mode, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan are favourites to raise the Asia Cup and the cricket showpiece ODI Global Cup, in step with Zaka Ashraf chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s control committee.
“I have great hope that with your efforts and hard work, Pakistan will win the Asia Cup,” Zaka Ashraf instructed Azam and Co then assembly them over lunch at the eve of the form at Hambantota.
“After securing victory, I am sure you will carry this momentum and confidence in the World Cup, bringing the trophy back home.” “This team under our great captain is performing really well. He has a talented team, and they are all performing in their respective roles. We have world-class batters and bowlers on the side. We have a good combination and I don’t find any reason why we should not win this trophy,” he said.
The series will conclude on August 26 before the team travels back to Pakistan to play the opening match of the Asia Cup against Nepal four days later.
Pakistan are looking to gain momentum from the series against Afghanistan who had lost to Sri Lanka at the same venue 1-2 in June.
Since the start of 2022, Pakistan have won 13 out of 17 matches and in May, they, for the first time in history, topped the ICC rankings for ODI sides.
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