DUBAI: Pakistan team batting coach Muhammad Yousuf stated that his team was focused on the overall victory of the Asian Cup and not just a single match between India and Pakistan.
Speaking to the media after the team’s practice session at the ICC Academy, Yousuf said that the team’s first day of training before the Asian Cup was tremendous.
“Despite the extreme heat, the guys have put in their best effort in practice,” he said.
“The players are passionate and we are planning the session, keeping the tournament ahead,” he added.
Asked for his comments on Sunday’s successful match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, Yousuf replied that his team’s focus was not just on one particular match but on the tournament as a whole.
“We have to win this Asian Cup. All (the players) are focused, disciplined and looking forward to the whole tournament and not just the match against India,” he said.
Additionally, the hitting coach praised national team captain Babar Azam for striking a balance between his captaincy and consistent hitting performances, while calling him a great hitter of late.
“Babar Azam is a great hitter. His consistency with the bat is pretty obvious, the way he’s performed the last three years,” he said. “Besides, he also cooperates immensely with the players,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will kick off their Asian Cup campaign on Sunday with the long-awaited match against India.
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