"The chances of Pakistan winning the Asia Cup are bright" : Asad Shafiq

[Abdullah719]

KARACHI : Pakistan middle order batsman Asad Shafiq has said that Men in Green are favorites to win the Asia Cup as the team is in good shape to challenge for the title.

The tournament, which will consist of six teams, will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 15 to September 28.

Speaking to media in Karachi, the 32-year-old said that the entire team is putting in a lot of effort which is why Pakistan stands a really good chance of winning the upcoming Asia Cup.

“The chances of Pakistan winning the Asia cup are bright,” said Shafiq. “Players are working really hard which can be seen by the gradual improvement in the team’s performances over the past 18 months.”

Shafiq — who last played an ODI for Pakistan at Perth against Australia in 2017 — further stated that tour of Zimbabwe has impacted the team in a positive manner.

Pakistan won the T20I triangular series by defeating Australia in the final followed by clean sweep against the home side in a five-match ODI series, in their recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.

“The players are full of confidence after the successful tour of Zimbabwe and are eager to continue this good run of form,” he said.

Shafiq — who recently went through surgery on his hand — has not fully recovered but he is optimistic about beginning practice in a few days’ time.

“I will soon fully recover and will begin practice in a few days’ time,” he said.

Shafiq also commented on the changing political situation in the country as he stated that former Pakistan captain and chairman of the new ruling party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — Imran Khan has set a great example for everyone to follow.

“Imran Khan’s life is a great example for everyone to follow,” he said. “The great cricketer has proven his mettle in every sphere of life.”

He added: “I don’t know much about politics but I am praying for Imran Khan to succeed.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1768911/7-pakistan-favorites-win-asia-cup-asad-shafiq/

 

[InziRules]

“Imran Khan’s life is a great example for everyone to follow,” he said. “The great cricketer has proven his mettle in every sphere of life.”

He added: “I don’t know much about politics but I am praying for Imran Khan to succeed.”

Great

 

[Aman]

Of course they are, it's basically a two horse race

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Asad comes off as a genuinely nice bloke, and he's probably one of those quiet ones that just take up a corner spot and pass off that occassional, witty remark among his group of friends

Only if he could just become consistent in Test cricket that would be awesome

 

[TeamPak95]

The maestro of exquisite batsmanship has spoken

 

[giri26]

Pakistan is going to win the Asia cup easily.

 

[TheLastGreatMan]

Of course they are, it's basically a two horse race

Actually its not. SL won almost double the Asia cups than Pakistan

 

[KhanPredator]

Actually its not. SL won almost double the Asia cups than Pakistan

Yes but they are lacking the players that helped SL won those tournaments. This is not the same team that won those Asia Cups.

 

[TheLastGreatMan]

Yes but they are lacking the players that helped SL won those tournaments. This is not the same team that won those Asia Cups.

Its not same team won them the 5 cups..they have won in different times from 1986 to 2014. Also they have the highest Match winning %.

 

[KhanPredator]

Its not same team won them the 5 cups..they have won in different times from 1986 to 2014. Also they have the highest Match winning %.

Yeah you can say that but this current team doesn't have it in them to win it imo, they need to find some match winners like the ones that were in those other SL teams that won the Asia Cups. I'm pretty sure all of those SL teams that did win the Asia Cup were never ranked 8th either.

 

[gazza619]

Of course they are, it's basically a two horse race

Mashrafe Mortaza says hi

 

[hadi123]

Every time Pakistan are favourites for something we go and bottle it :S I really hope we can win this Asia Cup.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I think Bangladesh and Sri Lanka willcome good in this tournament.
I smell some tough competition.
India is ranked very higher than others but all of us know that they have many deficiencies. Pakistan has done well recently but it is to be seen what they can do if fakhar, babar are removed early on in the innings.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

People are underestimating Sri Lanka,and Bangladesh just won an overseas ODI series.But I do think Pakistan and India are the favourites.Afghanistan also won’t be easy to beat in UAE conditions.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

India,Pak, BD, SL are all favorites.... Afg will test all the above for sure... Hoping for an exciting tournament...Can't wait for it... Bring it on...

 

[lehen]

India are the under dogs for the first time in Asia cup history, truly a experience for us Indians

 

[Usman Chadda]

India are the under dogs for the first time in Asia cup history, truly a experience for us Indians

It will be worse if you send a 2nd string team. I won’t put it past Sri Lanka or Bangladesh to humble your lot if that happens. Also I doubt most of your young players, under pressure to make a mark, will survive an India-Pakistan pressure match

 

[Aman]

Mashrafe Mortaza says hi

Genuinely, who?

 

[Sadevdesai]

If the Indians and PAK wind up in the Final .... one throw the book out !!!! The hype is for us to win against the Indians, but I don't think any of us would sleep peacefully the day before .... just the nature of the beast with us and them !!!!!!

 

[giri26]

It will be worse if you send a 2nd string team. I won’t put it past Sri Lanka or Bangladesh to humble your lot if that happens. Also I doubt most of your young players, under pressure to make a mark, will survive an India-Pakistan pressure match

This going to happen. India would most probably pick a team which will be without, Kohli, Bumrah, Bhuvi, Rahul and Kuldeep. Rohit and Dhoni are the only sure starters. After a 5 Test series, the Asia cup will be an overkill for players who play majority of the series in England.

 

[BaankeJi]

After 1992 WC, nobody can rule out Pakistan from any tournament. They are always in with a chance.

But in Asia cup, they have a very good chance - equal if not better than India- to win.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This going to happen. India would most probably pick a team which will be without, Kohli, Bumrah, Bhuvi, Rahul and Kuldeep. Rohit and Dhoni are the only sure starters. After a 5 Test series, the Asia cup will be an overkill for players who play majority of the series in England.

Shouldn't Rahul be picked, since he has hardly played ODI cricket lately? Won't be pretty for India if this happens. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have a very good chance of making the finals if the likes of Karthick are the senior players in that Indian line-up

 

[Syed1]

Depends on the form of Fakhar and Hasan. If both of them are clicking then God help other sides.

 

[Sher Khan]

Kuldeep with be the main threat for Pakistani batsmen. If we get around 275 minimum, our bowling should defend that.

 

[srh]

KARACHI : Pakistan middle order batsman Asad Shafiq has said that Men in Green are favorites to win the Asia Cup as the team is in good shape to challenge for the title.

The tournament, which will consist of six teams, will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 15 to September 28.

Speaking to media in Karachi, the 32-year-old said that the entire team is putting in a lot of effort which is why Pakistan stands a really good chance of winning the upcoming Asia Cup.

“The chances of Pakistan winning the Asia cup are bright,” said Shafiq. “Players are working really hard which can be seen by the gradual improvement in the team’s performances over the past 18 months.”

Shafiq — who last played an ODI for Pakistan at Perth against Australia in 2017 — further stated that tour of Zimbabwe has impacted the team in a positive manner.

Pakistan won the T20I triangular series by defeating Australia in the final followed by clean sweep against the home side in a five-match ODI series, in their recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.

“The players are full of confidence after the successful tour of Zimbabwe and are eager to continue this good run of form,” he said.

Shafiq — who recently went through surgery on his hand — has not fully recovered but he is optimistic about beginning practice in a few days’ time.

“I will soon fully recover and will begin practice in a few days’ time,” he said.

Shafiq also commented on the changing political situation in the country as he stated that former Pakistan captain and chairman of the new ruling party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — Imran Khan has set a great example for everyone to follow.

“Imran Khan’s life is a great example for everyone to follow,” he said. “The great cricketer has proven his mettle in every sphere of life.”

He added: “I don’t know much about politics but I am praying for Imran Khan to succeed.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1768911/7-pakistan-favorites-win-asia-cup-asad-shafiq/

why is Asad Shafiq commenting on Asia Cup which is a ODI tournament and Asad Shafiq has failed miserably in ODIs?

 

[akki]

Depends on the form of Fakhar and Hasan. If both of them are clicking then God help other sides.

If any one of rohit or dhawan or kohli clicks then others dnt need to put pads and bat because 200 pakka hi akele ka hi.
Kuldeep ,bumrah,bhuvi , 3 bowlers are good with 2 bowlers bumrah n.o 1 odi bowler and kuldeep also in top 5 or 7 i guess.

 

[Usman Chadda]

If any one of rohit or dhawan or kohli clicks then others dnt need to put pads and bat because 200 pakka hi akele ka hi.
Kuldeep ,bumrah,bhuvi , 3 bowlers are good with 2 bowlers bumrah n.o 1 odi bowler and kuldeep also in top 5 or 7 i guess.

If none of Rohit, Dhawan or Kohli click, India is facing an early exit

 

[akki]

If none of Rohit, Dhawan or Kohli click, India is facing an early exit

Insha allah lolz

 

[Abdullah719]

why is Asad Shafiq commenting on Asia Cup which is a ODI tournament and Asad Shafiq has failed miserably in ODIs?

Because it's a press conference where you're asked questions and need to give answers?

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Depends on the form of Fakhar and Hasan. If both of them are clicking then God help other sides.

If selected, I can foresee Rishabh Pant taking Hasan Ali to the cleaners like he did to Mustafiz. He relishes in SC conditions. As a Pak fan you should pray our selectors pick Dhoni.

 

[Syed1]

If selected, I can foresee Rishabh Pant taking Hasan Ali to the cleaners like he did to Mustafiz. He relishes in SC conditions. As a Pak fan you should pray our selectors pick Dhoni.

Pant ko bhi dekh leingaye... we have been hearing his hype since two three years. If he was that good he would have been in and around the squad. Also Hasan Ali wipes the floor with Mustafizur.

 

[BlackShadow]

Not as optimistic about Pakistan's chances. They upset India last time like Soderling upset Nadal/Federer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Baar baar tukka to nahi lagega na...

 

[Usman Chadda]

I see Babar Azam dominating Indian bowling. Indian fans will finally get to see why he’s rated so high in world cricket. Waise toh its not such a big deal slapping around this lalloo panju bowling attack, but atleast we can end that Rahul vs Babar thread after this Asia Cup

 

[akki]

I see Babar Azam dominating Indian bowling. Indian fans will finally get to see why he’s rated so high in world cricket. Waise toh its not such a big deal slapping around this lalloo panju bowling attack, but atleast we can end that Rahul vs Babar thread after this Asia Cup

May be you will get to see why does india have 3 bowlers in top10 odi ranking while why pakistan does have only 1.

Vese toh its not a big deal to dismiss this lallu panju batting line up but still ...

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I see Babar Azam dominating Indian bowling. Indian fans will finally get to see why he’s rated so high in world cricket. Waise toh its not such a big deal slapping around this lalloo panju bowling attack, but atleast we can end that Rahul vs Babar thread after this Asia Cup

You can end that rahul vs babar thread when he avgs 40+ in tests and when he breaks the record of most consecutive 50+ in tests.

 

[SuperMo18]

You can end that rahul vs babar thread when he avgs 40+ in tests and when he breaks the record of most consecutive 50+ in tests.

Or when Rahul averages 50+ in ODI, and becomes joint second fastest to 1k runs, or if his ODI strike rate rises above 80

 

[saeed5646]

Not as optimistic about Pakistan's chances. They upset India last time like Soderling upset Nadal/Federer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Baar baar tukka to nahi lagega na...

Wake up dude it is not worldcup .we always plays well against india when we play them in bilterail or other tourney

 

[saeed5646]

You can end that rahul vs babar thread when he avgs 40+ in tests and when he breaks the record of most consecutive 50+ in tests.

India have high standard lol what has that record to be so proud of

 

[Mahee]

Pakistan will win Asia cup and world cup too

 

[Mahee]

Wake up dude it is not worldcup .we always plays well against india when we play them in bilterail or other tourney

even in world cup matches too, you will start dominating from next year

 

[saeed5646]

even in world cup matches too, you will start dominating from next year

Yeah for sure i am quite confident.

 

[Darkrai]

But flukes don't happen that often.

 

[dilraza]

50 50 for Pakistan.