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Pakistan’s interim coach Aaqib Javed and captain Mohammad Rizwan had an extended meeting with the players, with the former doing most of the talking.
Pakistan were listless with the bat in their tournament opener against New Zealand. (AFP Photo)
The Pakistan cricket team had an extended practice session on Friday where senior batter and former captain Babar Azam faced several bowlers ahead of the Champions Trophy match against India in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan are in a do-or-die situation following their 60-run loss to New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi.
The team practised for three hours at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium with all the batter, barring skipper Mohammad Rizwan, undergoing an extended 20-minute batting session.
Batting mainstay Babar faced all the bowlers for a minimum of two overs each. The former skipper had scored a sedate 64 off 90 deliveries against New Zealand.
Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who will be expected to play a crucial role in the match against the arch-rivals, too bowled over seven overs each.
Pakistan’s interim coach Aaqib Javed and captain Rizwan had an extended meeting with the players, with the former doing most of the talking.
The defending champions began their tournament with big defeat to New Zealand earlier this week.
After opting to bowl first, Pakistan allowed New Zealand to rack up 320/5 in 50 overs with Tom Latham and Will Young hitting centuries.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
They’re in a must-win situation now against arch-rivals India. The last time these two teams clashed in an ODI was at the 2023 world cup in Ahmedabad when India secured a one-sided win.
The tickets for the blockbuster clash to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium were sold out within minutes of availability.
Pakistan are hosting an ICC tournament for the first time after 29 years. However, India are playing their matches of the tournament in Dubai as part of the Hybrid Model after BCCI cited security concerns to not send their team across the border for the marquee event.
With PTI Inputs
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
