KARACHI: Haider Ali isn’t targeting any particular team at the Under-19 Asian Cup. Instead, the opener is looking to provide Pakistan with good starts at the tournament in Sri Lanka.

“There is no pressure of playing against anyone be it India or any other team for that matter,” the 18-year-old right-hander from Attock told reporters here at the State Bank Sports Complex on Wednesday.

“We are going to the U19 Asia Cup on the back of two series wins against Sri Lanka and South Africa so our preparation is good. The team that displays good cricketing skills will win.

“The camp before the Sri Lanka series helped us to gel with each other which is why we won the series against the Islanders and South Africa. We have made two changes in the team and I believe that we have a good team combination at the moment.”

Asked how the team plans to tackle the threat of batting collapses that cost the team at the last U19 Asia Cup, Haider said that the team has solid batsmen coming in at the late-middle order.

“We have got a good batting line-up this time around. We have solid batsmen till 5th and 6th positions. The key element to any good batting performance is getting decent opening starts. If you can get them, you can capitalise on them later on in the innings,” said Ali.

Haider said that he would bat as per the needs of the team. He was also very quick to point out his previous batting record in Sri Lanka.

“I have performed really well in Sri Lanka in the past. I showed everyone what I am capable of achieving. My aim is to provide a good opening start to my team. I will try my best to win the Asia Cup single-handedly for my team,” said Haider.

He also opened up about how he felt when his name was included in the reserves squad for the U19 Asia Cup.

“People quit cricket when they are disheartened. I didn’t get disheartened when my name was included in the reserves for the U19 Asia Cup. Of course, when you perform well and your name doesn’t come up in the initial squad, it leaves you distraught. But, I have got time. I will try to play well and cement my place in the team,” added Haider.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2019