Pakistan cricket team reaches Dubai for Asia Cup 2018

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Younis Khan suggests Ashes-like series between Pak and India

Pakistan cricket team’s 16-member squad arrived in Dubai on Tuesday morning ahead of Asia Cup 2018 that is scheduled to begin on September 15.

The Pakistan squad under the captaincy of Sarfraz Ahmed departed from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal airport in the early hours of Tuesday night.

Speaking to media at Lahore Gaddafi stadium, Sarfraz said, the team’s morale is high and they will perform well in the Asia Cup.

“The team has prepared a lot for the tournament and we will try our best to perform well in all three categories,” he said.

Stating that the “Asia Cup is a big event in which the top teams are participating”, the national team captain said, “Our match against India is crucial.”

Sarfraz also stressed that spinners will play a key role in the Asia Cup adding that if the Pakistan cricket team bats first it will aim to make over 300 runs.

The 2018 edition of the tournament will take place in the UAE at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from September 15 to 28, with Pakistan taking on India on September 19.

This year’s Asia Cup will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

PAKI-INDIA MATCH TO BE EXCITING:

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan said on Tuesday, the Pakistan and India Asia Cup encounter will be one to watch.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that the game between Pakistan and India will be exciting.

Khan added, there is a fifty-fifty chance for both the teams and whichever teams plays the best will win.

“A series like Ashes can be played between the two teams,” Khan said.

“It doesn’t have to be every year. It would be every two years or three years,” he added.

On the subject of leagues and domestic cricket, the veteran batsman said, league cricket like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is important for the improvement of cricket in the country.

“Bangladesh and India both have their own cricket leagues and their cricket has vastly improved,” he said.

Khan added these leagues are a good way to find new talent.

“Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi all came through PSL,” he added.

Moreover, he added, department cricket is now in competition with regional cricket.

“Even if the two are merged there will still be new talent,” he said.

“The important thing is to give the same level of importance to domestic cricket that we give to international cricket,” he added.

He added, if money is poured into the domestic circuit, we will get better results.  When asked about dam fund and the contribution towards it, Khan said, dams are important for the country and we should all contribute towards it.