The Pakistan team left for Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on Saturday for the Asia Cup. The continental Cup features four test-playing nations of Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the underdogs Bangladesh.
Before leaving for Colombo via Dubai, Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, said that the team needs unity and that only a team effort can turn opportunities around for the underachieving Green Shirts in the Asia Cup and the forthcoming tour of England.
All-rounder Afridi stressed that all the players will have to perform their assigned tasks on the coming tours, which he termed a big test for the team.
“I’ve made it clear to every team member to play according to his role in the team,” Afridi said while talking to a media contingent. He further added that “Pakistan will be up against the best in the world so I want every player to fulfill his given duty.”
Shahid Afridi said that as Pakistan's new captain, one of his prime priorities is to make sure that his players are not guilty of any rowdy behavior while touring Sri Lanka and England. With a history of bickering within the team, Pakistan cricket has had its repute in tatters recently. Young all-rounder Afridi, before departing for Sri Lanka, made it clear to his teammates that he would not tolerate any politics or indiscipline. He said that nobody is allowed to spoil the dressing room atmosphere.
Talking about the controversial Shoaib duo, Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik, he said that he has talked to both players in particular, expecting that they will make the best of the opportunity by concentrating on their performance rather than creating rifts within the team or flouting team rules.
Discussing the squad that would play in the Asia Cup, he said that Pakistan is a balanced side and the comeback of the two Shoaibs, Akhtar and Malik, has boosted the team spirit.
“We’re a balanced team. I don’t see any reason for the team performing badly in Sri Lanka or England,” said Afridi.
He said that the inclusion of Umar Amin and Asad Shafiq with Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik make Pakistan’s middle-order even stronger, which has been vulnerable in the last few assignments.
Pakistan Manager Yawar Saeed revealed that the team will not play any warm-up matches before the quadrangular series.
He said that the players have worked hard enough in the training camp, and therefore do not need to play any warm-up matches before the tournament.
Right-arm medium fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who is also a part of the Asia Cup squad, said that fast bowlers might face some difficulties in bowling, as conditions in Dambulla, Sri Lanka do not favor fast bowlers as such. However, Asif, being optimistic, said that at times the pitches offer some extra bounce and seam movement that might help the speedsters get wickets.
Left-arm pace bowler Mohammad Aamer said that Express pacer Shoaib Akhtar is a great fast bowler, and his presence is a morale booster for him. He said that he has gotten a chance to learn a lot from the experienced speedster about how to bowl on Sri Lankan pitches.
The tenth Asia Cup kicks off on June 15 in Dambulla, a city in the centre of Sri Lanka, about 150 km northeast of capital Colombo, coinciding with the month-long FIFA World Cup, which started in South Africa this Friday.
Shahid Afridi was hopeful that the event would not be affected by the Football World Cup now on the go in South Africa, and that fans would give the Asia Cup due importance.
"Football is huge, but I hope after the 90 minutes of excitement (of a World Cup game), fans will give cricket its due attention and follow the Asia Cup," said Afridi.
Pakistan will play the opener against the hosts before taking on archrivals India on June 19. A victory in the opener will boost the Green Shirts’ confidence in their new captain Boom Boom Afridi.
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