Follow UsIndia and Pakistan are ready to meet on the cricket field once again in the Asia Cup, and as usual, both the skippers were asked some curt and politically sensitive questions in the captains' press conference in the lead-up to the tournament.
To begin with, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha clarified that he doesn't think of any team as favourites after being asked if India will begin the tournament as front-runners. He remarked on the fickle nature of T20 cricket and said that no one starts as favourites. Meanwhile, he also let everyone know that Pakistan are in good rhythm after beating Afghanistan, UAE in the Tri-series and West Indies and Bangladesh in bilateral T20Is.
"In T20, I don't think anyone is favourite," Agha said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
"On a particular day, you just have to play good cricket. T20 is a very fast game. In one or two overs, the game can completely change.
“The tri-series was always preparation for the Asia Cup. If we won it, that's very good, but the focus was always on this tournament. We still have to come here, play good cricket, and win the Asia Cup. That's all that matters.
"We are playing very good cricket. I think for almost four months, we have won three series out of four. So we are doing very well as a team and at the same time, we are very excited. A lot of the boys will play in the Asia Cup for the first time but they are ready for the challenge."
Meanwhile, the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said that the Indian team will take the field with full intensity, and the off-field tensions won't hamper the focus of his side.
“Temper? Aggression is always there when we take the field," he said. "And without aggression, I don't think you can play this sport. I'm very excited to take the field."
Suryakumar also jovially reacted to claims of India being favourites and said that the team has had some good practice leading into the tournament.
"You have played in this format and you know how your preparations are. If your preparations are good, then you will be very confident when you take the field,” the right-handed batter said.
"We are playing T20 as a team after a long time. But we were here three days back, had some good time together as a team, and we are really looking forward to this tournament."