Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan "Good But Not A Champion Team" - Shadab Khan

Team India is out of contention for the tournament after Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket in a thrilling Super Four encounter on Wednesday in Sharjah.

Afghanistan’s superb bowling earlier in the innings was overcome by Naseem Shah’s two back-to-back sixes in the first two balls of the last over. Pakistan were 118-9, including Shadab for 36, with Naseem’s superb performance to seal a thrilling victory by one wicket with four balls to spare.

Pakistan “Good But Not A Champion Team”: Shahdab Khan

Pakistan is “good but not a champion team,” warned Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan, who expects Pakistan to cope better with pressure after his side’s impressive one-wicket win over Afghanistan in the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. The Men in Green reached the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Shadab warned his Pakistan team that the tournament serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November and there is more to do.

“I think a good team should not suffer a collapse like this in pressure situations, especially I played a rash shot. I was well set and should have finished the match,” said Shadab.

“Like I said at the start of the tournament, we are a good team but not a champion team and that’s what is our goal. Hopefully we will work on this and try not to repeat our mistakes.”

Shadab, who also returned figures of 1-27 with his leg-spin and was named as Man of the Match, commented that Naseem had gone the extra mile when his team needed him, and may have to do so again in the future.

“Our management has promoted our bowlers to bat a bit because you don’t know what situation will come in a game. Our bowlers also have the calibre to finish games with the bat, “he said.

“When I came in to bat, I had the belief I could hit sixes. I practise this. I knew they would bowl yorkers. I just tried and I executed, “the 19-year-old Naseem added.

Pakistan’s most effective bowler was pacer Harris Rauf, who had a 2/26 in a four-over spell. Among the Pakistan bowlers, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.

Afghanistan and pre-tournament favorites India were eliminated from the six-nation Asia Cup. On Thursday evening in Dubai, they will play a dead rubber.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Game Should Be Played And Aaken In Right Spirit – Shoaib Akhtar Slams Afghanistan After Fans Vandalise Stadium, Throw Chairs At Pakistanis