Pakistan hoping to win Asia Cup ‘for flood victims’

Pakistani cricketer Shadab Khan said Saturday his team is hoping to beat Sri Lanka in Sunday’s Asia Cup 2022 final in order to put smiles on the faces of flood-victims at home.

The match, which is a curtain-raiser for next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia, will be broadcast live on Ariana Television from 6pm.

In his column published on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) website, the vice-captain said: “Since we’re away from our beloved homeland, watching the devastating calamity from afar makes it even more painful for us,” he said, adding that the Babar Azam-led squad would like to win this tournament to bring lively smiles back on the faces of the people affected by the flood.

He said: “We are a great team, but in order to become a champion side, we need to win this tournament and other high-profile series.

“I have said before that champion teams handle pressure well and prevail in clutch moments, and this is what we will aim for on the Sunday finale. Winning against Sri Lanka and claiming the Asia Cup title is the real deal for us,” he said.

Pakistan are scheduled to take on Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup finals at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.