LAHORE, July 3: Former Test cricketer and manager of the Pakistan under-19 team, Haroon Rasheed, has hailed the performance of his team in the Asia Cup which Pakistan shared with arch-rivals India after the final ended in a tie in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

“Every member of the team played his role as every one was eager to perform which helped players win the tournament,” Haroon said having reached Lahore with his winning team in the wee hours of Tuesday.

He said that players did not lose heart and made their best efforts in every match despite absence of two key bowlers Zia-ul-Haq and Usman Qadir who remained unfit. Eulogising contributions made by every player particularly tail-enders who helped the team in crisis situation, Haroon remarked that several players have the talent to get place in the national team.

“Sami Aslam, Babar Azam (captain), Umar Waheed, M Nawaz, Ehsan Adil, Zia-ul-Haq, Usman Qadir, and Azizullah are all talented players and deserve to play in the national side,” the manager commented.

It is pertinent to mention that Sami cracked two centuries in the Asia Cup, including one against India in the final, in addition to being declared as the Man-of-the-Match in the final.

Though Haroon looked satisfied with the recent performance of the team, he expressed reservations about the fielding department, saying the boys had to make extra efforts in fielding.

Commenting on the upcoming World Cup, which will be held in August in Australia, the manger said that Pakistan team’s arrival well before the commencement of the tournament to play a three-match series against the hosts will be advantageous.