Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is likely to return to Pakistan’s final squad for the crucial Super Eights encounter against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan will take on England in a crucial Super Eights encounter at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
The national side continued its preparations with an intense practice session at the venue, fine-tuning strategies ahead of what is being termed a must-win fixture. A victory in this high-stakes contest could significantly boost Pakistan’s chances of securing a spot in the semi-finals.
According to media reports, there is a strong possibility that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will return to the playing XI, which would strengthen Pakistan’s pace attack against a formidable English batting lineup.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Sahibzada Farhan expressed confidence in the team’s morale and preparations. He acknowledged the unpredictable weather conditions but stressed that the team remains focused on its performance.
“Rain is not in our hands, but we are confident. The team’s morale is high, and we have played well here. We will give England a tough time,” he said.
Farhan added that the decision regarding whether to bat or bowl first rests with the captain and the coach. “Our job is to play according to the plan. Discussions about points have not started yet,” he remarked.
He candidly admitted that Pakistan’s batting has faced challenges in recent matches, particularly with collapses in the middle order. “We are collapsing in batting, and we have to think about it. The top order needs to bat deep into the innings. We are working on it, and it will improve,” he stated.
Farhan, however, expressed satisfaction with the bowling unit’s performance, noting that it has shown steady improvement.
With both teams eyeing a place in the semi-finals, the clash promises to be an intense contest as Pakistan looks to keep its campaign on track.
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