Pakistan Asian Games-bound men’s cricket team captain Sahibzada Farhan on Thursday said that he is confident his charges can win gold at the continental event.
However he stressed that the side would not allow a potential clash with India to overshadow its wider campaign in Japan.
Farhan said Pakistan have a balanced squad featuring several promising young players and would approach every match with equal importance.
“We will try our best to claim gold for Pakistan,” Farhan told reporters at the National Stadium.
Farhan was happy with the way his charges have undergone training for the past four days.
“As a captain I am happy that all boys are working hard. We had requested for such pitches keeping in view Japan’s conditions and we also tried to play against spinners mostly. Haider Ali is in fine touch along with Abdul Samad and I am happy that all boys look in good shape,” Farhan said.
Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Japan two days before their campaign begins, with Farhan saying the early arrival would allow the players to adjust to the local weather and conditions.
“We are focused on our first match. Every team is important for us and we will give equal importance to all our matches,” he said.
Farhan said Pakistan cricket team would not make the India fixture the sole focus of its Asian Games campaign, despite the significance traditionally attached to matches between the two countries.
“Our focus will be on each match rather than only the game against India,” he said.
Farhan also praised solid talent in the squad, identifying Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz among players who could become important figures for the national team.
He said strong performances at the Asian Games could help emerging players secure more opportunities in the future.
“These players are a ray of hope for Pakistan,” Farhan said, adding that consistent performances in Japan could open the door to further opportunities at international level.
Pakistan have also tailored their preparations to the unusual playing conditions they are expected to encounter in Japan.
Farhan revealed that head coach Mike Hesson had travelled to Japan to inspect the rugby ground where the cricket matches are scheduled to be played and had discussed various aspects of the venue and conditions with the players and coaching staff.
The team’s four-day training camp in Karachi also took the expected conditions into account, he said.
The captain also stressed the importance of domestic cricket in developing Pakistan’s players and urged those who struggle at international level to return to domestic competition rather than allowing their form to deteriorate.
“Players who are unsuccessful at international level should go back and play domestic cricket,” he said.
Farhan said regular domestic cricket could help players sharpen their skills and regain confidence before attempting to return to the international stage.
The Asian Games will also represent an important leadership opportunity for Farhan, who said he remained optimistic about his own role while making clear that his priority was to contribute through his performances.
“I am very hopeful as captain. Whether I remain captain or not, my priority is to maintain consistency in my performance,” he said.
Farhan added that he would seek to repay the confidence shown in him by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I will try to live up to the PCB’s trust,” he said.
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