The showdown is still some days away but Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal is already geared up for the clash against India in the upcoming Champions Trophy, saying the match is as big and as eagerly anticipated as the final.
The India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for June 15 in the event starting June 6. The wily Pakistani spinner insisted that playing a match against India is always fantastic.
“The atmosphere, wherever we play, is always electric and I’m sure the fans lucky enough to be at Edgbaston and all those watching the telecast around the world will not be disappointed by this match. It’s like a mini-final within the tournament,” he said.
Ajmal pointed out that both sides are very strong and at the end of the day, the team which handles the pressure will be victorious.
“We have the psychological advantage having defeated India in their own backyard in the one-day series and I’m confident that we can defeat them in Birmingham,” he said in an interview to the Pakpassion.net website.
Asked about the absence of big names from the Indian team Ajmal said it was pretty normal for the players to come and go.
“Big names are replaced by lesser known players who then turn into big names and then they get replaced. The cycle of cricket goes on, no cricketer lasts forever and no cricketer has a God-given right to be picked again and again.
“If a player is out of form or struggling for form then it’s only right that they are replaced by a player who is in form,” he explained.
