Pakistan's ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is confident that the team will win the Asia Cup 2023 because the team have prepared for the event very well.
Talking to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media team, Afridi emphasised that the players got enough chances to play in Sri Lanka which will play a key role in the later stages of the tournament.
"Pakistan will win the Asia Cup, we have prepared very well. We have played Test cricket in Sri Lanka and then ODIs, and the players also participated in franchise cricket.
"Cricket is a game of 11 players, every player has performed in his position. Our players support each other, we spend more time with the team than our actual families. We always do our best to make the country proud and happy."
Talking about the conditions of the Asian event, especially in Sri Lanka, he stated that flat wickets favours spinners.
"Flat wickets are more favourable to spinners, we have prepared the best we could, we played all formats in Sri Lanka. But the beauty of ODI cricket is that you get to get two balls. Yes, it is difficult for a bowler sometimes because you only have four fielders outside the circle," he added.
The 23-year-old then talked about his pace partners, especially about Haris Rauf saying that he has the most difficult job during bowling, and also opened up on the relationship he shares with him.
"If we talk about one-day cricket, I think the role of Haris Rauf is very difficult. By the time he comes to bowl, the ball stops swinging, but despite difficulties, he has given us a breakthrough quite a number of times.
"He is someone who is always dedicated to giving his best, be it bowling, batting, or fielding, he always wants to give his all. He and I have been together since 2018, We have shared good and bad times, we play for Lahore Qalandards as well, and we communicate as well. If we make a mistake while bowling, both of us can say to each other.
"Naseem deserves everything. The best thing about him is that he learns everything quickly, he is very smart and clever."