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Asia Cup Preview: Pakistan Ring in Changes, Rope in Motivational Expert Ahead of India Rematch
New Strategy, New XI
Desperate to overturn their fortunes against India in the Asia Cup rematch, Pakistan are set to tweak their playing eleven and approach. Sources told Telecomasia.net that a crucial meeting was held involving skipper Salman Agha, senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and the coaching staff, where the line-up for Sunday’s Super Four clash was finalised.
Opener Saim Ayub, who has endured a lean patch with no notable scores in three matches, will be shifted to number four in the order. Either Fakhar Zaman or Mohammad Haris is expected to open, a move designed to ease pressure on Saim.
A source said
The team management has worked with Saim on his technique and reminded him of his unbeaten 98 against South Africa. He has been asked not to attack from the first ball, but to assess conditions before building his innings.
Saim’s struggles at the top are evident, falling in the first over eight times in his last 29 T20Is. But the management hopes a middle-order role may unlock his potential, even though he has batted there only four times, with limited success. Haris, meanwhile, is expected to benefit from a return to his preferred opening slot, buoyed by his recent fifty against Oman.
Mid-Order Shuffle
Another underperformer, Hasan Nawaz, is set to be dropped, paving the way for an all-rounder — either Faheem Ashraf or Hussain Talat.
A source revealed
Talat is a steady left-hander who can handle Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel’s spin, while Hussain offers the added advantage of seam bowling.
Nawaz’s struggles against spin have been glaring, with dismissals to slow bowlers in ten of his last 14 T20I innings. The bowling line-up, however, will remain unchanged, with Haris Rauf joining Shaheen Afridi as the frontline pacers.
Oman’s Blueprint
Pakistan’s coaching staff reminded players of Oman’s spirited performance earlier in the tournament and also revisited footage of Pakistan’s successful chase of 182 against India in the 2022 Asia Cup. Both instances are being used to bolster belief ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes encounter.
Motivational Boost
In a move highlighting the psychological weight of facing India, 'Pakistan have enlisted motivational speaker Dr Raheel Karim to strengthen the squad’s mental resilience. Dr Raheel, an experienced sports psychologist with over a decade of work across disciplines, joined the team on Wednesday and will stay until the tournament concludes', Telecom Asia Sport has learnt.
Clashes against India have often exposed Pakistan’s mental fragility, with the men in green losing 11 of their 14 T20I meetings. Last Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat added to that tally. The appointment of Dr Raheel reflects the management’s view that overcoming India requires mental fortitude as much as tactical adjustments.
Silence Speaks Volumes
Adding to the sense of pressure, Pakistan cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference on Saturday. The decision, insiders suggest, was to avoid questions about the “no-handshake” controversy from the group-stage clash, and to keep focus strictly on preparations. With tactical adjustments and psychological reinforcements, Pakistan enter Sunday’s clash aware that their Asia Cup campaign — and pride — may hinge on this performance.
www.telecomasia.net
New Strategy, New XI
Desperate to overturn their fortunes against India in the Asia Cup rematch, Pakistan are set to tweak their playing eleven and approach. Sources told Telecomasia.net that a crucial meeting was held involving skipper Salman Agha, senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and the coaching staff, where the line-up for Sunday’s Super Four clash was finalised.
Opener Saim Ayub, who has endured a lean patch with no notable scores in three matches, will be shifted to number four in the order. Either Fakhar Zaman or Mohammad Haris is expected to open, a move designed to ease pressure on Saim.
A source said
The team management has worked with Saim on his technique and reminded him of his unbeaten 98 against South Africa. He has been asked not to attack from the first ball, but to assess conditions before building his innings.
Saim’s struggles at the top are evident, falling in the first over eight times in his last 29 T20Is. But the management hopes a middle-order role may unlock his potential, even though he has batted there only four times, with limited success. Haris, meanwhile, is expected to benefit from a return to his preferred opening slot, buoyed by his recent fifty against Oman.
Mid-Order Shuffle
Another underperformer, Hasan Nawaz, is set to be dropped, paving the way for an all-rounder — either Faheem Ashraf or Hussain Talat.
A source revealed
Talat is a steady left-hander who can handle Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel’s spin, while Hussain offers the added advantage of seam bowling.
Nawaz’s struggles against spin have been glaring, with dismissals to slow bowlers in ten of his last 14 T20I innings. The bowling line-up, however, will remain unchanged, with Haris Rauf joining Shaheen Afridi as the frontline pacers.
Oman’s Blueprint
Pakistan’s coaching staff reminded players of Oman’s spirited performance earlier in the tournament and also revisited footage of Pakistan’s successful chase of 182 against India in the 2022 Asia Cup. Both instances are being used to bolster belief ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes encounter.
Motivational Boost
In a move highlighting the psychological weight of facing India, 'Pakistan have enlisted motivational speaker Dr Raheel Karim to strengthen the squad’s mental resilience. Dr Raheel, an experienced sports psychologist with over a decade of work across disciplines, joined the team on Wednesday and will stay until the tournament concludes', Telecom Asia Sport has learnt.
Clashes against India have often exposed Pakistan’s mental fragility, with the men in green losing 11 of their 14 T20I meetings. Last Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat added to that tally. The appointment of Dr Raheel reflects the management’s view that overcoming India requires mental fortitude as much as tactical adjustments.
Silence Speaks Volumes
Adding to the sense of pressure, Pakistan cancelled their scheduled pre-match press conference on Saturday. The decision, insiders suggest, was to avoid questions about the “no-handshake” controversy from the group-stage clash, and to keep focus strictly on preparations. With tactical adjustments and psychological reinforcements, Pakistan enter Sunday’s clash aware that their Asia Cup campaign — and pride — may hinge on this performance.
Asia Cup Preview: Pakistan Ring in Changes, Rope in Motivational Expert Ahead of India Rematch
Desperate to overturn their fortunes against India in the Asia Cup rematch, Pakistan are set to tweak their playing eleven and approach. Sources told Telecomasia.net that a crucial meeting was held involving skipper Salman Agha, senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and the...
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