Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq gave early warning saying that they are here to retain their Asia Cup title as his team have blend of youth and experience who will help him to lift Asia Cup cricket championship which commences on February 25 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
On a cricket website Mishbah on Sunday, he said his rejuvenated side is riding high with back to back ODI victory against strong teams like South Africa and Sri Lanka and these success inspires his team to defend their title which they have achieved beating host Bangladesh by 2 runs in final held in 2012 at Mirpur stadium.
The Pakistani skipper said, ” Our team is in good shape, cricket is a confidence game and we have been playing well in the last three-four months. We have to do our basics right to have a good chance.”
Misbah and Mohammad Hafeez were the backbone of Pakistan batting line-up for the last 12 months, scoring in excess of thousand runs, and opener Ahmed Shehzad had lag behind.
Talking about his young blood, Misbah was oozing with confident saying that his relatively inexperienced bunch includes Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Talha, Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali who in their turn has given his team the balance need to lift the title.
Taking about opener Shehzad, the skipper said, “Ahmed Shehzad has been part of our team for quite a while and also improving day by day. Sharjeel Khan had an average series, but he gave glimpses of being a good player, he can time the ball well. We are looking forward to see him develop into a good player.”
“Sohaib Maqsood played well in South Africa and against Sri Lanka. With experienced players, few youngsters like Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti, they are putting some good scores. I am happy that it is a good, balanced unit. Youngsters are always contributing with the senior players.”
Misbah said this Asia Cup meet would not be a cakewalk for any side as all teams are quite aware of the local conditions. He also warned not to take debutant team Afghanistan lightly.
“All teams have ability to win against any side,” he said.
“It will be good competition. Last Asia Cup was witness of that.
Bangladesh beat two big teams and almost came very close to beat us. So you can expect all teams are capable of beating each other.
“Afghanistan is a new, exciting team. They can do anything on a given day. They are not experienced, but they give their 100%. They have players that can really challenge other teams.”
With the 2015 World Cup less than a year away, this is Pakistan’s opportunity to groom their team. “I think it is good for the team that there is a chance to improve as a group. Somewhere there is a knockout stage in these tournaments, so the competition level is there. You prepare yourself, as a team so I think this is good preparation before the 2015 World Cup. These tournaments have their own importance.”
