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Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE begin a tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah on August 29. Rashid Khan urges unity, while Salman Agha and Muhammad Waseem eye strong Asia Cup prep.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE begin tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah
The Asia Cup is across the corner, and before the continental tournament gets underway, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE will lock horns in a tri-nation T20I series, starting August 29.
Afghanistan face Pakistan within the opening game of the tri-nation series in Sharjah on Friday night. Ahead of the fixture, Rashid Khan has urged “unity” amongst supporters.
The last time Afghanistan and Pakistan met on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, through the 2022 Asia Cup, crowd unrest broke out within the stands. With political tensions providing a backdrop, the UAE will stage several fixtures over the following month.
India and Pakistan are drawn in the identical group in the primary round of the Asia Cup and will meet as much as 3 times in Dubai. Afghanistan and Pakistan could also play one another 3 times in Sharjah if either side reach the tri-series final. Though placed in separate groups within the Asia Cup, they might clash within the second round.
Special security arrangements will probably be in place for the Sharjah games, including the opportunity of segregating supporters. Rashid, Afghanistan’s captain, appealed for fans to benefit from the game while respecting the opposition.
“It’s a message to everyone who ever comes to observe the sport within the stadium,” Rashid said.
“This game is something that brings unity, it brings people together, and brings nations together. It shows the precise message, a message of peace.
“Everyone coming to the bottom should support their team, support the players, and rejoice. This game is all about enjoyment. We play this game to enjoy it and provides entertainment to the gang. I feel prefer it is only a game. There’s nothing greater to it.”
“For the gang to come back and support their teams, and the respective players, that’s what I request of them, and be sure they rejoice and revel in every moment of the sport,” he added.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha described the tri-series as an excellent tune-up ahead of the Asia Cup in Dubai next month. The 31-year-old batter, who replaced Mohammed Rizwan as Pakistan’s T20I skipper earlier this yr, will lead a new-look side without regular stars like Rizwan and Babar Azam.
“It will be exciting, but great for our preparation as well,” he said of the series, which incorporates two matches apiece against UAE and Afghanistan, followed by a final. “I understand it goes to be difficult, but we’re ready for that.”
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem acknowledged his side carried the least expectations within the tournament but expressed confidence of their preparations.
“It’s home for all three teams, but the best way we have now prepared, the best way we have now played for the past couple of years, and the work we have now done over the past one and a half months, I feel we’re going to play good cricket over here,” Waseem said.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the best way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I even have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the best way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I even have had … Read More
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