Pakistan keen to take India�s challenge

Malik thinks his side is favourite in Saturday�s match

While India showed their supremacy in the shortest format of the cricket by flexing muscle in the crushing 45-run win over Bangladesh, Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik declared his side favourite ahead of the high voltage clash between the two sides.
The two archrivals meet tomorrow (Saturday) in the most attractive match of the Asia Cup but the frenzy had already taken the fever pitch. All of the Pakistani players however have been in T20 game courtesy to playing the first ever Pakistan Super League (PSL), a league organised by the PCB.
Malik, an integral part of the team, thought the recent PSL experience would give them some edge over the old foes despite the Indian are high on confidence.
“As a Pakistani, I will call my team favourite in the match even though India have been playing good cricket lately. If you see their performance, they are really playing well,” said Malik.
“We also have been in cricket and just come off the PSL where we played competitive cricket. I think the match between the two sides will be exciting.”
Malik said the clash has always drawn the attention of the fans, and so players from the two sides are keen to express them well in the particular match.
“Everyone knows it’s a big match. People from both countries want and pray their team to win. The cricketers also get excited about the match and everybody wants to perform.”
The all-rounder however said he is not aware what the combination of the Pakistan will be for the match against India.
“It’s up to the captain. I don’t know what the combination will be. Perhaps after watching the pitch, the decision will be taken.”
It will be the first time for Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamir to face India in a T20 game. Aamir faced a huge criticism from his teammates and his country after he returned to cricket, serving his five-year ban.
When his compatriots weren’t apparently pleased by his inclusion into the team, India Test captain Virat Kohli welcomed him to the International cricket.
“I was really happy to see Aamir the fact that he realised his mistake and he played well in New Zealand. He was always a world class bowler. I agree that if he had played in the last five years I think he would have been world’s top 2- 3 bowlers the amount of talent he is. He has pace, swings it bowl ways and has a good slower. He is a good bowler I wish him all the best, he has worked hard and come this far, that takes a lot of courage, I wish him all the best,” Kohli said.
Despite the match presented adrenaline pumping moment for both of the team’s players, Virat Kohli said the approach towards the game would be the same like they did against other teams.
“Like I said we want to treat every team the same. Playing against Pakistan as far as I am concerned there is no difference for me, because when you go to the field you go to play cricket and I don’t see there is any difference mentally. I have always tried to see every opposition similarly. Pakistan is strong, but yes we want to do well as well against other sides. The match is generally competitive because the skill sets are good in our and their team that’s why there is competition, apart from that I don’t think there is any other reason. I have said in the past as well that look this is very exciting for the other people. But on the field its perfectly normal, just like how we play against any other team.”

Pakistan keen to take India�s challenge

Malik thinks his side is favourite in Saturday�s match

While India showed their supremacy in the shortest format of the cricket by flexing muscle in the crushing 45-run win over Bangladesh, Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik declared his side favourite ahead of the high voltage clash between the two sides. The two archrivals meet tomorrow (Saturday) in the most attractive match of the Asia Cup but the frenzy had already taken the fever pitch. All of the Pakistani players however have been in T20 game courtesy to playing the first ever Pakistan Super League (PSL), a league organised by the PCB. Malik, an integral part of the team, thought the recent PSL experience would give them some edge over the old foes despite the Indian are high on confidence. As a Pakistani, I will call my team favourite in the match even though India have been playing good cricket lately. If you see their performance, they are really playing well, said Malik. We also have been in cricket and just come off the PSL where we played competitive cricket. I think the match between the two sides will be exciting. Malik said the clash has always drawn the attention of the fans, and so players from the two sides are keen to express them well in the particular match. Everyone knows its a big match. People from both countries want and pray their team to win. The cricketers also get excited about the match and everybody wants to perform. The all-rounder however said he is not aware what the combination of the Pakistan will be for the match against India. Its up to the captain. I dont know what the combination will be. Perhaps after watching the pitch, the decision will be taken. It will be the first time for Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamir to face India in a T20 game. Aamir faced a huge criticism from his teammates and his country after he returned to cricket, serving his five-year ban. When his compatriots werent apparently pleased by his inclusion into the team, India Test captain Virat Kohli welcomed him to the International cricket. I was really happy to see Aamir the fact that he realised his mistake and he played well in New Zealand. He was always a world class bowler. I agree that if he had played in the last five years I think he would have been worlds top 2- 3 bowlers the amount of talent he is. He has pace, swings it bowl ways and has a good slower. He is a good bowler I wish him all the best, he has worked hard and come this far, that takes a lot of courage, I wish him all the best, Kohli said. Despite the match presented adrenaline pumping moment for both of the teams players, Virat Kohli said the approach towards the game would be the same like they did against other teams. Like I said we want to treat every team the same. Playing against Pakistan as far as I am concerned there is no difference for me, because when you go to the field you go to play cricket and I dont see there is any difference mentally. I have always tried to see every opposition similarly. Pakistan is strong, but yes we want to do well as well against other sides. The match is generally competitive because the skill sets are good in our and their team thats why there is competition, apart from that I dont think there is any other reason. I have said in the past as well that look this is very exciting for the other people. But on the field its perfectly normal, just like how we play against any other team.