Pakistan all-rounder Hussain Talat said the team is aiming for the Asia Cup title after their five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the Super Four clash on Tuesday, September 23, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan had begun the second round with a defeat to India on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Talat was the standout performer for Pakistan against Sri Lanka, earning the Player of the Match award. He claimed the wickets of Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka, finishing with impressive figures of 3-0-18-2, and then contributed an unbeaten 32 runs to guide Pakistan in chasing 134.

Talat added that with players having gained considerable match experience since Bangladesh toured Pakistan, they have begun to show consistent performances.

“We have been playing cricket since Bangladesh came to Pakistan, and we have a lot of options. The good thing about this group is that players are coming back into form. Some of them didn’t perform for two matches, but now they’re getting consistent opportunities — which is what you see in international cricket. Once that happens, they start responding,” Talat said in the post-match press conference.

“There are only two matches left, and if we play well in both, we will win the trophy,” Talat added.

‘No pressure before Sri Lanka clash’

Talat also said that Pakistan did not feel under pressure and noted that criticism can sometimes be detrimental ahead of a crucial encounter. The team had faced backlash following their defeat to India, which was their second loss to the same opponents in just seven days.

“There was no pressure before coming into this match. But obviously, we were losing, and no one was feeling good. We all wanted to win — our nation wanted us to win too. We gave our best in this game.

“There was a lot of criticism, and we tried to avoid that. But sometimes, it’s not good for the whole team to carry that into a crucial match,” Talat added.

Pakistan’s last and final Super 4 match is against the Litton Das-led Bangladesh on Thursday, September 25 in Dubai.

– Ends

Tune In