Following his team’s 93-run victory over Oman in Dubai on Friday, skipper Salman Agha declared that Pakistan could defeat any team, including India, in the Asia Cup if they followed their strategy and played good cricket.
A high-stakes match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for Sunday in Dubai.
“We have been playing good cricket in the last 2-3 months and we just have to play good cricket. If we can execute our plans for a long enough period, we are good enough to beat any team,” Agha responded when asked if Pakistan had more momentum heading into the crucial match against India after their decisive victory over Oman.
Mohammad Haris’ brilliant 66 off 43 balls, which was dotted with seven fours and three sixes, was a major factor in Pakistan’s 160/7 in their allocated 20 overs when they decided to bat. Then, with two wickets each from Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, and Sufiyan Muqeem, Pakistan bowled Oman out for just 67 in 16.4 overs.
“With the bat, we still need to work. But with the bowling, it was outstanding. The spinners bowled really well.
“Shaheen (Afridi) in his second spell and Faheem also (bowled well). We have three spinners, and all are very different. We have Saim as well, he is outstanding with the new and old ball. When you come to UAE, you need to have a lot of spinners,” Agha said.
“It is hard to say but the way we started, we should have scored near 180. It is just a game of cricket, you never know (how it goes),” he said when asked how many runs they should have scored on the track.
“When we came here, it was looking good and flat. But when we batted, we were struggling. Good to post that total,” said Haris, who was adjudged Player-of-the-Match.
On playing aggressively, he said, “That was what I was doing from last 5-6 years for Pakistan and in the PSL. That is what I like. The skipper also told us to be aggressive.”
Restricting Pakistan to 160 was a satisfying moment, according to Oman captain Jatinder Singh.
“The way the boys bowled and fielded, they were bang on target. They executed the plan, they were 10/10. Our team is a lot better than what we performed today, and confident that we can do a lot better,” he said.
“To back ourselves and play positive cricket. Just be in the present and not think about who is bowling to you,” he said on plans for the India game next week.
