Dubai: Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, has urged his team to maintain focus and play strategically as they prepare for their Champions Trophy encounter against India on February 23 in Dubai. This advice comes as anticipation builds for another high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket match.
According to a statement by International Cricket Council, Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, emphasized the importance of staying calm amidst the inevitable hype surrounding matches against their arch-rivals. He advised the players to approach the game with the same intensity they would exhibit against any other team, such as Australia.
Sarfaraz expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to defend their title, citing the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan and the strength of the current team. He specifically highlighted the significance of Babar Azam’s matured batting skills and the impact of bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s past performance, Sarfaraz recalled the challenging start to their 2017 campaign, which began with a significant loss to India. However, he noted how the team regrouped with the support of senior players, leading to a change in mindset that proved pivotal for their eventual success.
As Pakistan gears up for the upcoming tournament, they will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 18 in Karachi, followed by the much-anticipated match against India.