NEWS
Follow UsPakistan keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan said that his team is full of confidence ahead of facing India in the Super Four clash on Sunday, but felt that the team with calmer head will prevail.
After losing to India by five wickets in their opening Group B clash last Sunday, Pakistan will return to Dubai to take on their arch-rivals following a massive 155-run win over Hong Kong.
"Playing India is always a pressure game. The whole world, even beyond Asia, wait for it," said in the press-conference on Friday. "The pressure will be equally on India and us, but the result will be with whoever remains brave and keeps calm.
"Fans from both countries anticipate a third meeting in next week's final. We have jokingly said among ourselves that it's a best of three-match series (between India and Pakistan)."
Rizwan, who starred with an unbeaten 78 against Hong Kong, said that his team is trying to keep things simple.
"I tell players, whether you play India or Hong Kong, it's a game of bat and ball. So keep it simple. Yes, it's a big game and our confidence is high but only hard work is in our hands, as the result is from God," Rizwan said.
The 30-year-old is hopeful of making it to the final as Pakistan aim for their third Asia Cup title.
"We have to play good cricket and make the final. Our fans demand that we give our best and it is visible this time that the boys are giving it their all," he said.
Rizwan was the top scorer for his side in the group stage against India with 43 off 42 balls as Pakistan were all out for 147 in 19.5 overs.
From Pakistan's perspective, they would hope that their star skipper Babar Azam is back among runs. The world's No. 1 T20I and ODI batter has a quiet start to the Asia Cup with low scores of 10 and 9 against India and Hong Kong respectively but Rizwan said it's just a matter of time before his captain finds his form.
"Babar is a superstar and he is world No 1. He knows how to go about it and it has been just two innings and we sometimes keep saying that he doesn't get an evil eye. He has scored a lot of runs for us in the past and this has been just two games."
