Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, expressed his belief that his team holds an advantage over India in their upcoming Asia Cup Super Four clash, citing their strong bowling lineup capable of securing victories in both matches and tournaments. This confrontation between arch-rivals is set to take place in Colombo on Sunday, following the abandonment of their group match due to rain, which has disrupted the 50-over tournament serving as a precursor to the impending ODI World Cup in India.
Having secured a victory in their opening Super Four match, Pakistan aims to further bolster their chances of reaching the final on September 17 with a second win. However, the persistent rain in the Sri Lankan capital threatens to disrupt the match once more, prompting organizers to designate a reserve day.
Azam pointed out, "You can say we have the edge as we have played back-to-back cricket here (in Sri Lanka) and in Pakistan." He emphasized the extensive time his team has spent in Sri Lanka over the past two-and-a-half months, participating in various series and leagues, making it an advantageous position for them.
Pakistan's trio of pace bowlers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, has been particularly outstanding, amassing a total of 23 wickets and significantly contributing to the team's performance.
Azam expressed his pride in the fast bowlers, describing them as among the best in the world. He firmly believes in their ability to win matches and tournaments, highlighting the synergy and partnership among the bowlers, including Naseem and Faheem Ashraf, as a key strength.