Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed advises the national team to manage nerves and maintain focus ahead of their Champions Trophy match against India on February 23. He discusses the upcoming title defense, emphasizing players like Babar Azam and the importance of teamwork, especially with returning experienced players from the 2017 victory.
Former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed counseled the national team to manage their emotions ahead of a crucial Champions Trophy match against India on February 23 in Dubai. With the match being one of the most intense rivalries in sports, he highlighted the need for players to control their nerves to perform optimally, avoiding distractions associated with the event’s hype.
Pakistan will first face New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, kicking off their title defense. Under Ahmed’s captaincy, Pakistan claimed victory against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
In his ICC column, Ahmed stated, “Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion and there is so much hype and pressure around it. But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would play Australia or any other team.”
He expressed confidence in the current squad, noting that several players from the 2017 team remain. He particularly emphasized the importance of Babar Azam, whom he described as more experienced and strategic than in 2017, stating his batting would be crucial.
Ahmed also praised left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive style and recognized bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf as key assets. He mentioned that captain Mohammad Rizwan, also a wicketkeeper-batter, plays a similar role to his own during their 2017 success.
The green shirts will compete in the tri-nation series final against New Zealand before the Champions Trophy begins, serving as a preparatory stage for the team.
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s advice to Pakistan revolves around maintaining composure and focus for their upcoming matches, particularly against India. He highlighted the team’s strength, especially with experienced players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. With a balance of strong batting and bowling, Pakistan has a solid chance of defending their title successfully during the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
