Sarfraz unhappy with India's scheduling, concerned about Amir's form

Ajit Vijaykumar 15:41 18/09/2018
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  • Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

    Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed is unhappy that his team is being asked to play its Super Four match in Abu Dhabi while India get to stay in Dubai irrespective of where the two teams finish in the group stage of the Asia Cup.

    One the eve of the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash in Dubai on Wednesday, Sarfraz said asking other teams to travel for an hour and a half one way during a tournament and allowing just one to stay in Dubai is unfair.

    Even if Pakistan defeat India and top Group A, the men in blue will get to stay and play in Dubai.

    “Even if India lose their match, they will play in Dubai. If you have to travel during matches for one and a half hour. It is difficult. And then train in this weather… It should be even for all teams. If there are matches in Abu Dhabi, all teams should play there,” Sarfraz said on Tuesday.

    It has added some spice to an already charged up atmosphere for the first clash between the two teams since the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Sarfraz said Pakistan’s 180-run win in the final is well in the past and the players need to re-focus and, more importantly, take it as a normal match.

    “Tension is always there. As a player, we take it normally. But the hype that is created in media, social media, if does have an effect. We ask players to play India-Pakistan match like any other match,” the wicketkeeper batsman said.

    “Champions Trophy is in the past. It’s history. Those memories will remain with us. But this is a new event, atmosphere. Conditions are different.”

    AMIR A CONCERN

    Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir.

    Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir.

    Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir has been out of form in ODIs since his match-winning effort in the Champions Trophy final against India. Since then in eight ODIs, Amir has picked up just three wickets and gone wicketless in five games. Also, he has not completed his quota of overs since the Champions Trophy last year.

    Sarfraz said he has talked to Amir and told him he is a strike bowler who needs to pick up wickets. However, the captain didn’t confirm whether Amir will play against India on Wednesday.

    “There is concern (about Amir). Sometimes you bowl well and you don’t pick wickets. Look at India’s Mohammed Shami (in England). He bowled well but didn’t pick up many wickets. As a captain, I want Amir to bowl well. His inability to pick up wickets is a concern. I have talked to him and explained to him you are a strike bowler and that is his job. I hope he strikes soon.”

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