Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Saturday said that his side prepared well to manage fatigue due to travelling in Asia Cup 2023. Babar downplayed the constant travel of Pakistan team between Sri Lanka and Pakistan because of the tournament scheduling, and said that they planned well.
“We always knew the schedule and how much we have to travel. So, it’s become important how we look after our players. We have planned everything well,” said Babar in the pre-match press conference.
The 28-year also claimed that Pakistan will have an edge over arch-rivals India due to their recent experience in playing in Sri Lanka.
“Given the continuous cricket we are playing both in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, you can say that we hold an edge (over India),” said Babar in the pre-match press conference.
“We have been playing here in Sri Lanka for the past two months or so. We have played Tests, we played a series against Afghanistan and then the LPL… So it can be said that we have an advantage”, he added.
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“We need wickets in middle overs”
Pakistan pacers have been doing exceedingly well in the Asia Cup as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah have so far taken 23 wickets among them from just three matches.
However, Babar feels spinners will have to step up as well and help to keep pressure on in middle overs.
“Yes, we get a good start (with the ball) and the plan always is to bowl good in middle overs. The effort is to have an effective combination. We need wickets in the middle overs but we are not getting them.
“But you can see that we are finishing good. Our pacers are doing well at the end. This is a team performance. If someone fails, then another bowler chips in,” said Babar.