2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Pakistan Will Be A Fighting Unit Against India – Sarfraz Ahmed

Nov 2, 2023 at 3:50 PM

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2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Pakistan Will Be A Fighting Unit Against India – Sarfraz Ahmed

The newly-appointed One-day International skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has revealed the Men in Green would fight hard against formidable India as they would be aiming to eke out a win at the Edgbaston in their 2017 ICC Champions Trophy opener against the arch-rivals, in the much-awaited clash of the summer.

“It is important to be relaxed and confident before every big game, to keep the nerves in check,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by AFP.

The 30-year-old Karachi-born batsman Sarfraz added they would put in a great fight against quality team while stating gentleman’s game had played a vital role to keep Pakistan united as a nation, as he would be happy to start off on a winning note.

“Cricket brings happiness to our nation; we will do our best to make our country proud,” Sarfraz maintained.

The aggressive wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz while expressing satisfaction over his team’s performance against the West Indies believes not taking an added pressure make you feel free to perform in the mega event which according to him would be a benefit — to rely on in the Group B matches.

“You will see us playing to the best of our capabilities. You will see a fighting team,” Sarfraz remarked.

In the high-profile game, as players have given out their opinions prior to the contest, many of the former and current players thought it’s just ‘another game’ on the table for both the teams, as Sarfraz feels his team is relaxed to go into the match.

Safraz further remarked he would decide about the Playing XI while having a close look at the conditions taking place on the match day. Moreover, the middle-order batsman has hinted of picking the variety while saying they would go out with their best of the combination.

“It depends on how the pitch looks before the game. We will unleash our best pace attack; maybe three or four fast-bowlers if needed, or a combination of spin and pace,” Sarfraz concluded.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are scheduled to face-off in Birmingham on June 4 which would see both teams trying out their best – to clinch a win, as the tickets have already been sold-out.

Men in Green have further participated in the training camp before taking on Bangladesh and Australia in their warm-up games to acclimatise English conditions.

However, after beating Bangladesh by two wickets in the first warm-up fixture while riding on power-hitting performance from left-handed Fahim Ashraf, followed by a cameo from Hasan Ali, as they could just bowl 10.2 overs before the game was abandoned after skies opened up.

The experienced campaigner Sarfraz has shouldered the responsibility when Pakistan has been struggling in the 50-over format which further saw Azhar Ali being relinquished from the captaincy.

He has featured in 70 ODIs in which he amassed 1,568 runs at an average of 35.63. Sarfraz has registered two hundreds and six fifties while having 84 dismissals to his name as catches and stumpings, respectively.

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