The Pakistani batsman gave a straightforward answer when asked about the team’s upcoming match against India in the Asia Cup. An exciting confrontation is on the horizon as cricket giants India and Pakistan renew their fierce ODI rivalry in the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023.
Placed in Group A, this might be the beginning of a series of matches in the tournament. If both teams progress to the Super Fours, they will face each other in that stage and could even reach the final if they secure top-2 positions.
As India gears up for the upcoming task, the anticipated comebacks of prominent fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are poised to strengthen their pace attack.
Bumrah is set to return in the T20I series against Ireland this week. Meanwhile, Shami and Siraj, who were absent during the recently concluded ODIs against West Indies, are likely to enhance India’s formidable bowling lineup.
However, Pakistan’s batsman Abdullah Shafique maintains unwavering confidence when discussing the match against India in the Asia Cup.
Unfazed by the challenge posed by India’s potent fast bowling unit, Shafique draws assurance from Pakistan’s intense practice sessions where he faces off against the nation’s top-tier pace bowlers – Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
For Shafique, these internal confrontations act as optimal training, guaranteeing his readiness to face the top-tier challenges the cricketing sphere presents.
Jasprit Bumrah is set to return during the Ireland T20Is this week
The Pakistani batsman was questioned about the match against India and whether the comeback of Bumrah could intensify the difficulty of confronting the Indian bowling lineup.
“You face Haris, Naseem, Shaheen in the nets all the time during practice sessions. Do you find it easy when you take on the opposition bowlers then?”
“Particularly if you talk about India… since it looks like Jasprit Bumrah is also coming back for Asia Cup,”During a press interaction, a reporter inquired with Shafique.
Shafique minimized any difficulties. “Our bowling attack is pretty good, in fact, the best in the world. We face them (Shaheen, Haris, Naseem) in the nets… we face their challenging spells.”
“And that gives us a lot of confidence and helps in our preparation. If we are playing good against them, we are obviously more confident against opponent bowlers,” said the Pakistan youngster.
India and Pakistan will face each other on September 2 in Kandy, accompanied by Nepal as the third team in Group A. Additionally, both teams are scheduled to compete in the ODI World Cup on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
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