Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan fans are hopeful of a strong showing from their team in their upcoming Asia Cup Super Four clash against India in Dubai. It will be the second meeting between the teams in this tournament after India won the group stage game comfortably with seven wickets and 25 balls to spare.
That match was overshadowed by calls for a boycott and the non-handshake saga. This time, the focus is more on cricket, with Pakistan fans confident of a better showing from their team as the tournament reaches its business stage.
Pakistan have been under par in this tournament. Despite beating Oman with ease, they had huffed and puffed their way to 160/7. After they were brushed aside by India, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble against the UAE, before a Shaheen Shah Afridi cameo and solid bowling performance sealed the vital victory.
Also, Pakistan have largely struggled against India in white-ball cricket in the past decade, losing 14 of 17 matches since the start of 2015. This includes six losses in eight T20Is.
Captain Salman Agha is looking forward to the challenge, but acknowledges the need for improvement.
“We are ready, we are ready for any challenge,” Salman said after their 41-run victory against UAE, as quoted by Geo News.
“We just want to play good cricket. If we play good cricket, like we have played in the last few months, I think we’ll be good against any side.
“We got the job done but we still need to improve our batting in the middle order,” Salman continued. “That’s been a concern and something we need to work on.”
Pakistan fans optimistic ahead of Super Four showdown against India
However, amid the poor record and chaotic week off the field, Pakistan fans are optimistic of a strong performance on Sunday. India’s performance against Oman has given them some hope, plus the fact Pakistan know where they need to improve.
“This Indian team can be beaten, hope Pakistan cricket team learns something from the way Oman played,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “SURPRISE FOR INDIA… Keep an eye on the TOP THREE BATTERS of Pakistan on Sunday!,” wrote another.
The match begins at 6:30pm local time and kicks off the Super Four stage. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the other two teams competing to reach next week’s Asia Cup Final.
