Rohit Sharma
ISLAMABAD: Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that Pakistani cricketers are playing well as a strong team. He hoped that the Pakistan-India cricket match would be a thrilling and worthwhile event.
Sharma stated this during a press conference a day before the much-awaited encounter on Sept 2 (today). Both teams will play their match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Sharma, 36, had nothing but respect for the arch-rivals and appreciated how much Green Shirts have improved over the years.
“Pakistan’s team is very good, they have improved very well in the past few years, whether it is T20I or 50 overs,” Sharma said. We will play our best, we have prepared well, let’s see how it goes.”
Furthermore, the co-hosts of the regional event have opted for a lineup consisting of three pacers, two spin-bowling all-rounders, and two batting all-rounders.
Babar Azam led the side as the cricket board made the announcement on social media.
In their inaugural match of the Asia Cup, Pakistan, the world’s number one ODI team, dominated Nepal with a commanding 238-run victory. Captain Babar Azam delivered an outstanding performance, registering the second-best individual score in the tournament’s history. He smashed an impressive 151 runs off 131 balls, securing his 19th one-day international (ODI) century. Pakistan posted a formidable total of 342 runs on the scoreboard.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was equally impressive, as they bundled out Nepal for a mere 104 runs in 23.4 overs. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for 27 runs, while the pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed with two wickets each.
In addition, Babar Azam expressed his confidence ahead of the crucial India match, highlighting that the victory against Nepal had boosted the team’s morale. He emphasized the intensity of an India-Pakistan encounter and expressed his team’s commitment to giving their all in every match.
On the other side, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, downplayed the hype surrounding the high-stakes match against Pakistan. Lastly, he emphasized that their focus is on using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming home World Cup, emphasizing the importance of concentrating on their performance and making the right decisions on the pitch.
