Pakistan will begin their Asian Games cricket campaign on Monday when they face Hong Kong in the quarter-finals, with captain Sahibzada Farhan confident his side are prepared to negotiate unfamiliar conditions in Japan.
Pakistan travelled to Japan after a four-day training camp in Karachi, where the squad practised on surfaces prepared to replicate the expected conditions and worked through a series of scenario matches.
The team then trained in Nisshin on Sunday, although overnight rain left a wet outfield and disrupted the session.
Farhan said the squad had focused heavily on adapting to conditions and preparing for spin during their 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 mix of international, domestic and Pakistan Super League experience would help them adjust to conditions 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 competition 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 also described the leadership role as a source of pride, while stressing that his approach would remain unchanged.
“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 selected 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, supported by bowling coach Ashley Noffke and fielding coach Mansoor Amjad.
The semi-finals are scheduled for October1, with the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches to 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 (wicket-keeper)
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)