Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's previous triumph in the tournament under Zaka Ashraf's tenure and expressed confidence in winning it once again
PHOTO: PCB/AFP
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf and the captain of the national cricket team, Babar Azam, recently had a telephonic conversation.
Sources indicate that skipper Babar congratulated Ashraf on his appointment as the Chairman of the Management Committee. In response, the 70-year-old conveyed his best wishes for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and Asia Cup 2023.
"Wish the whole team good luck for the Sri Lanka tour and the Asia Cup. The whole nation is behind you, we expect a lot from you," Zaka Ashraf told Babar.
"Play cricket with a brave heart, good spirit, and positivity. Leave behind the fear of defeat and step onto the field. The victory of the Pakistan team brings joy to the entire nation. There is immense talent among all of you. Raise the name of Pakistan high in every field," he added.
In response, the 28-year-old highlighted Pakistan's previous triumph in the tournament under Zaka Ashraf's tenure and expressed confidence in winning it once again.
The right-hand batter assured Ashraf that the team would strive to deliver a 100% performance, aiming to elevate the team's success even further.
"We won Asia Cup when you were the chairman previously. We will try to win the Asian event once again in your presence," Babar said.
"We will not leave any stone unturned to take the Pakistan team further up. We will enter the field with full energy and dedication for the sake of Pakistan," he concluded.
Pakistan last toured Sri Lanka in July 2022 and that two-match Test series resulted in 1-1. Pakistan scaled the target of 342 to register the best run chase at the ground and win the first Test by four wickets. The hosts pounced back in the second Test to level the series with a 246-run win.
Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:
Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood
