Even though they've been largely poor with their performance in the competition so far, former Pakistani greats think that the Sarfraz Ahmed led side can still go on and win the Asia Cup 2018 in United Arab Emirates.
Leading upto team's virtual semi-final against Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 26, the likes of Wasim Akram, Aqib Javed, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi have given a vote of confidence to the side and feel it can still turn a corner, like many times in the past, and surprise many cricket lovers around the globe.
"Pakistan team has the ability to make a comeback and win the Asia Cup," former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was quoted saying, to which just recently retired Shahid Afridi added, "These are the players that will perform and we should support them,"
On the other hand, Aqib Javed, an admirable and integral part of the famous Pakistani fast bowling attack of Wasim and Waqar in the past, feels that the current side has what it takes to clinch the title as the competition approaches its business end.
"It is still not over for Pakistan and they can make a strong comeback." Javed was quoted saying on GeoTV and added, "We have to make a comeback and I am sure we will,"
Earlier, reflecting on the two one-sided losses against arch-rivals India, Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik has said that it is the lack of experience in the squad, which basically came to the fore under two high pressure encounters.
Malik went onto state that the Sarfraz Ahmed led side had a lengthy discussion regarding the last defeat in Dubai, where after restricting Pakistan for just 237-7 in the first innings, India simply ran away with the game in the run-chase and won the match by 9 wickets in the 40th over.
Speaking on the matter in the press conference, Malik said, "The team sat together and discussed the shortcoming," and stressed on the need to improve quickly with the tournament reaching its business end saying, "If two to three bowlers or batsmen give a performance on the match day they can take the match in their favour, performance is not the responsibility of board, management or selection committee."
The action now moves to the virtual semi-final between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a place in the final against India on September 28 up for grabs.
