ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Sami Aslam is upbeat for its chances in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup saying batting and bowling have always served us well in the UAE.
Pakistan the two time former winner and defending champions India are favorites to progress to the Super League quarter finals from Group A in the World Cup that will be staged across the UAE from February 14 to March 1 says a press release issued here.
Pakistan remains the only country to have won the tournament back to back. Khalid Latif led Pakistan to the title in 2004 in Bangladesh while Sarfraz Ahmed’s boys retained the crown when the event was staged in Sri Lanka in 2006.
This month Pakistan will join India and Australia in their quest to reclaim the title and become the only sides to have won the tournament three times each. Pakistan India will go head to head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 15 in a match that is expected to decide which side tops the group.
Reviewing Group A, Sami who will be appearing in his second World Cup said: “We faced Scotland in 2012 and beat them comprehensively so they will be gunning for revenge. PNG seems to be in good form and India is always tough so we will have to be at our best and will qualify strongly for the Super League”, he said.
Sounding confident of his team’s chances, Sami said before the ACC U-19 Asia Cup final we were on a winning streak of about 20 matches and also beat India. So we are upbeat about our chances not only in our high profile first game against India but beyond that as well.
He said that their strengths which are our batting and spin bowling have always served us well in the UAE.
Looking forward to the tournament India captain Vijay Zol said: “The tournament format is very exciting and apart from its arch rival Pakistan, India also has two competent and motivated sides in Scotland and PNG to contend with”.
Previewing the match against Pakistan, Zol said: “It is always special and different to play against Pakistan as opposed to playing against anyone else we won’t feel any added pressure in that game.” (APP)
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