Pakistan will start its Asian Games cricket journey on Monday when it plays against Hong Kong in the quarter-finals. The captain, Sahibzada Farhan, is sure that his team is ready to handle the conditions in Japan.
Pakistan went to Japan after a four-day training camp in Karachi. The team trained on surfaces that were made to look like the conditions they expect in Japan. They also played matches to prepare for different situations.
Then the team trained in Nisshin on Sunday. However, rain during the night made the field wet. Disturbed the training.
Farhan said the team worked a lot on getting used to the conditions and preparing for spin bowling during the camp.
“We made wickets that match the conditions we expect in Japan. We practiced against spin as much as possible,” Farhan said to reporters before the team left. “We also worked on match situations during the camp.”
The Pakistan captain said the team’s mix of domestic and Pakistan Super League experience would help them deal with conditions they cannot control.
“As cricketers, we need to be ready for any conditions because weather and playing conditions are not in our control,” he said.
Farhan, who will lead Pakistan in the tournament, said the team will take each match one at a time.
“Every match is important for us. We will focus on the match and take every game seriously,” he said.
The captain also said being a leader is a moment, but he will not change his approach.
“It is a moment for me and my family to lead Pakistan,” Farhan said. “Whether I am playing as a captain or as a player, my mindset stays the same.”
Pakistan has chosen a 15-player team that includes both new T20 players. These include vice-captain Abdul Samad, Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Mike Hesson is the head coach of the team. He is supported by bowling coach Ashley Noffke. Fielding coach Mansoor Amjad.
The semi-finals are set for October 1. The bronze-medal and gold-medal matches will be, on October 3.
Squad: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)
Support staff:
Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Tahir (physiotherapist), Imran Ullah (trainer), Usman Hashmi (analyst-cum-team operations coordinator)
