Published: Feb 26, 2014, 04:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 26, 2014, 04:26 PM (IST)
Dubai: Feb 24, 2014
Sami Aslam, the Pakistan captain has said that his side will work hard going into the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2014. Pakistan beat England in a thrilling game by three wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday. The winner of the semi-final between Australia and South Africa would not face Pakistan in the final.
Speaking to the media after the nerve wracking contest, Aslam said, “We will hopefully work hard and go to the final with great confidence. Our bowlers are really good and we will give our 100 percent and do well in the final.”
When one of the journalists asked Aslam about his preferred opponents for the final, he jokingly said, “Jo Jeetegi, uske saath khelna chahenge.” (Urdu for: Whoever wins, we would like to play them)
Aslam has been one of the main batsmen for Pakistan in this World Cup and has formed a good partnership with Imam-ul-Haq at the top. He did acknowledge the collapse that took place in the semi-final, but praised Saud Shakeel and the lower order for their contribution.
“I played a bad shot under the circumstances. Two to three players [played] poor shots, but Saud Shakeel covered up for us very well. And, then Zafar Gohar and Amad Butt batted excellently well. We were confident till the end and the plan was if we could bat long till the last over then we would win,” he said.
During the game, Aslam also became the leading run-scorer in under-19 one-day cricket. Speaking about the achievement, he said, “I have been scoring runs in every match. I am in good form. I got out at an important point. Hopefully I will not repeat the same mistake in the final, and help the team to win.”
