MOHSIN ALI
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will open their Asian Games cricket campaign on Monday when they take on Hong Kong in the quarter-finals, with captain Sahibzada Farhan expressing confidence that his side is ready to deal with unfamiliar conditions in Japan.
Pakistan reached Japan after a four-day training camp in Karachi, where the squad practised on surfaces prepared to replicate the expected conditions and took part in a series of scenario matches.
The team trained in Nisshin on Sunday, although overnight rain left the outfield wet and disrupted the session.
Farhan said Pakistan had placed strong emphasis on adapting to the conditions and preparing to face spin during the Karachi camp.
“We prepared wickets according to the conditions we expect in Japan and tried to practice against spin as much as possible,” Farhan told reporters before the team’s departure. “We also worked on different match scenarios during the camp.”
The Pakistan captain said the squad’s combination of international, domestic and Pakistan Super League experience would help the players adjust to factors beyond their control.
“As professional cricketers, we have to be mentally prepared for all conditions because the weather and playing conditions are not in our control,” he said.
Farhan, who will lead Pakistan in the tournament, said the team would approach the event one match at a time.
“Every match is important for us. We will focus on our first match and take every game seriously,” he said.
The captain described the leadership role as a matter of pride but stressed that his approach would remain the same.
“It is a proud moment for me and my family to captain Pakistan,” Farhan said. “Whether I am playing as captain or as a player, my mindset remains the same.”
Pakistan have named a 15-member squad featuring a blend of established and emerging T20 players, including vice-captain Abdul Samad, Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Mike Hesson is the team’s head coach, with Ashley Noffke serving as bowling coach and Mansoor Amjad as fielding coach.
The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, while the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches will be played on October 3.
Squad: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).
Support staff: Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Tahir (physiotherapist), Imran Ullah (trainer), Usman Hashmi (analyst-cum-team operations coordinator).
