Pakistan captain Salman Agha said Saturday that his team has been “always ready” to face India at the T20 World Cup, even though the match was only officially confirmed earlier this week.
The highly anticipated Group A clash will take place at the 35,000-seat R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which has sold out. Hundreds of millions more are expected to watch worldwide. The match was confirmed late Monday after the government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the game.
“This is a very big game and the magnitude is huge,” Agha said ahead of Pakistan’s practice session at the stadium on Saturday. “We were always ready for the game, whatever the decision.”
Pakistan opened their campaign with a tense last-over, three-wicket win over the Netherlands and followed it with a 32-run victory against the United States. India have also won both of their matches so far.
“We are in good momentum and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions,” Agha said. However, he emphasized that performance will be key. “We have to play good cricket to win the match.”
Agha said spin bowling could be decisive and described Tariq Usman as Pakistan’s “trump card” against India’s strong batting lineup.
“Tariq has been bowling well, and I am sure the mystery element will make him our trump card,” Agha said. He dismissed concerns about the legality of Tariq’s sling-arm action and the pause in his delivery stride. “He has been cleared twice, so there are no worries.”
Agha also expressed hope that players from both sides would shake hands after the match, unlike during their three Asia Cup meetings in Dubai last year.
“The game should be played in the true spirit of the game,” he said. “It has been the norm in cricket for years, but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow.”
The winner of Sunday’s match will secure a place in the Super Eights round.
