Pakistan's dominance in the 2023 Asia Cup has been a topic of conversation, and much of the credit goes to their formidable trio of pace bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.
Captain Babar Azam had high praise for these fast bowlers on the eve of Pakistan's clash against India, highlighting their crucial role in Pakistan's success in the ongoing competition.
“I feel very proud of the fast bowlers I have. They're among the best and help us dominate. Tournaments and matches are won by fast bowlers, and I fully believe in them. There's no secret; they just believe in themselves and cover for each other,” said Babar Azam.
In preparation for the much-anticipated Super Four stage clash against arch-rivals India, Babar emphasized how the pacers have been instrumental in Pakistan's tournament strategy. He expressed his complete faith in their abilities, highlighting the mutual trust within the team.
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Pakistan's fast bowlers are amongst the best: Babar Azam
“We're testing out different combinations to see what works for us. We haven't quite worked out exactly how to best approach the middle overs, but we're finishing and starting very well thanks to our fast bowlers. It's a team effort. As a team, we try and get the best out of our players,” Babar added.
Despite concerns about fatigue due to extensive travel, Babar dismissed any worries ahead of the high-pressure India match. Pakistan had endured a grueling schedule, traveling from Kandy to Lahore and then to Colombo in the previous week, while India remained in Sri Lanka.
“We have spent two-and-a-half months in Sri Lanka, including the Test series, LPL, Afghanistan series, and now the Asia Cup. So you could say we have a slight edge over India because of that,” Babar Azam concluded.
The Pakistani captain's confidence in his pace bowlers and their team spirit has been the driving force behind their exceptional performances in the 2023 Asia Cup. As the tournament unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between Pakistan and India, where these fast bowlers will be put to the test once again.
