Monday, June 23, 2008

Asia Cup Cricket 2008: Pakistan eyeing Indian and Pakistan as a hard opponent

The Asia Cup 2008 cricket is going to take place in Pakistan tomorrow. Six teams are expected to take place in this tournament. In the opening day Bangladesh will compete with unfancied UAE in Group-A whereas Pakistan will play against their easiest opponent Hong Kong from Group-B. Everybody is eyeing towards Group-B where two arch-rivals Indian and Pakistan will face each other once again in a round-robin league. Four-time winner team India is the strongest opponent against host team. Shoaib Malik led Pakistan team has edged India and Sri Lanka as a hard contest against them. Recently, Pakistan won the triangular series final at Dhaka earlier this month. That is why; they will try to continue their success in their home ground. Host team is under huge pressure after losing their two key fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar. Wicket-keeper cum batsman Kamran Akmal has been ruled out because of his poor performance.

INTERNATIONAL Herald Tribune reported:

Pressure of competing at home is always there, but we have an edge of knowing our playing conditions very well," Malik said.

Pakistan — winner of the 2000 Asia Cup — is riding high despite losing two of its key fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar.

Asif was withdrawn from the Pakistan squad while he was being detained in Dubai on suspicion of possessing an illegal substance, while Akhtar was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for breaching the players’ code of conduct.

Lots of young and inexperienced players have been selected in Pakistan team. But skipper of Pakistan team is determined to do well and take all the advantage of home ground. If they want to get the trophy then they have to defeat defending champion Sri Lanka and highest time winner India. Can they demolish them in their way of the road of success?

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