In the first Super 4 game at the 2023 Asia Cup, Pakistan started off with a win against Bangladesh in Lahore by seven wickets, keeping their unbeaten record at the tournament intact.
While the chase of 194 took its time to be wrapped up – in the 40th over – the pacers had already set the game on the platter before the batters took over. Guided by Haris Rauf, who nabbed a four-wicket haul, the Pakistan quicks shared a total of eight of the 10 wickets between them.
“It was hot out there, but I’ve played a lot of cricket here. I play PSL for Lahore, the crowd always expects us to perform here,” Rauf told afterwards.
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Rauf, who currently leads the overall wickets tally at the ongoing Asia Cup with nine scalps, further stated that he wishes to finish as the player of the series in the competition.
“Before any game, we do plan as a bowling unit. We talk about bowling to different plans based on the game phase. Hard length was tough to play here, and the plan was to keep bowling stump to stump. Didn’t need to go to the yorker today. I keep working hard and I have high goals for myself, I want to be the Player of the Series in this Asia Cup, let’s see how the tournament proceeds,” Rauf added.
Pakistan next face India on Sunday in Pallekele. The group stage fixture between the two teams had been washed out last Sunday at the same venue after Pakistan bowled India out for 265.