LAHORE: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris believes that the Green Shirts will have edge over India and other teams in the upcoming Emerging Asia Cup.
Haris, who will lead the Pakistan team during the tournament, believes that the inclusion of players with international experience in the squad will be beneficial for the side.
“Pakistan team has eight international players in the squad which will gives us an edge over India and other teams. We will try to use their experience to our advantage,” Haris told Geo News in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Haris has played five ODIs and nine T20Is for Pakistan and will lead Shaheens for the first time.
Other international players in the squad are: Arshad Iqbal (1 T20I), Kamran Ghulam (1 ODI), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (2 Tests, 14 ODIs, 27 T20Is), Sahibzada Farhan (3 T20Is), Saim Ayub (8 T20Is), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Tayyab Tahir (3 T20Is).
Shaheens, who are the defending champions, are placed in Group A alongside India A, Nepal and Sri Lanka, while Group B includes Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Oman and United Arab Emirates.
The top-two sides from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
“Most of our players know the conditions in Sri Lanka so adjusting to it won’t be a big issue for us,” Haris added. “I have done captaincy in first-class and U19 cricket which is why I’m ready to lead the side.”
Shaheens will play their first match against Nepal on July 14, followed by matches against India A on July 16 and Sri Lanka A on July 18.
Pakistan Squad:
Mohammad Haris (captain, wicketkeeper) (Peshawar), Omair Bin Yousuf (vice-captain) (Karachi), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arshad Iqbal (Swabi), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sahibzada Farhan (Charsadda), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Sufiyan Muqeem (AJK) and Tayyab Tahir (Gujrat)
Non-traveling reserves – Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Junaid and Rohail Nazir
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.