Asia Cup 2018: Faheem Ashraf Feels India is Dangerous Side Even Without Virat Kohli

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf stated Team India without their regular skipper, and batting mainstay Virat Kohli is still a strong side, Pakistan harbour hopes of winning that particular match they have to play out of their skin. Ashraf has also set eyes on the World Cup 2019.

Ashraf said India is a dangerous side and Pakistan are not taking them lightly. The 24-year-old Pakistan all-rounder spoke to the media in Dubai after attending the team’s practice session at the International Cricket Council Academy (ICC) in Dubai.

“Even without Virat Kohli, India is a world-class team, and no one can take them lightly. Every Pakistan player has dreams and hopes of playing against India,” said Ashraf.

Pakistan has played a lot of cricket in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hence there experience playing in UAE will help the Men in Green led by Sarfraz Ahmed.

“We have been playing all our home series in the UAE so we will have an advantage. But still, this is a big event so we will try our best to make use of home advantage and also give it 100 percent effort,” Faheem added.

 

“We are trying to get used to the conditions here as soon as possible so that we don’t have problems in our first match,” he stated.

Faheem Ashraf says his job is to work hard and perform well in Asia Cup 2018:

Pakistan reached UAE a few days ago to get acclimatized the conditions.

“Before the Lahore training camp, we also trained hard in Abbottabad with the Army. Following Abbottabad, We trained in hot weather in Lahore so that it would be easier to adjust to the head of Dubai,” Ashraf said regarding their preparations for the tournament.

 

“My job is to work hard and perform well, its the job of the coaches, etc to pick me for the playing XI, he said adding, As a player, I always want to take 5 wickets, but it depends on my performance on that day,” he added.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face-off on 19^th September, and all eyes will be on the marquee clash. The last time the two teams met each other, it was Pakistan who thrashed India by 180 runs to win the Champions Trophy 2017.

Meanwhile, earlier in the tournament, India had defeated Pakistan by 124 runs in Birmingham on June 4, 2017. Fans are certainly going to miss Virat Kohli in the impending Asia Cup 2018.