Picture Credit: Instagram/@therealpcb
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan side attained the No. 1 ranking sin the Men’s ODIs in the lead-up to the Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Green, who whitewashed Afghanistan at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka, however claimed the series after winning the second ODI but attained the top spot after clean sweeping the Afghan nationals on August 26.
However, the Men in Green are back in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video of their skipper giving an inspiring speech in the dressing room ahead of the continental tournament. While the side is currently training ahead of the Asia Cup, he hailed his teammates for this achievement in the post-training address.
“We are the number one team today because of our hard work. Hard work, ups and downs, emotions, we have seen it all in life but this team’s unity didn’t break,” he said. “Har bande ka dil saaf hai (everyone’s heart is pure). No one is thinking like, ‘He did this, why didn’t I?’ Everyone is happy with everyone else’s performance, and this should stay like this,” he further added.
Watch the video here:
While the side lifted the trophy with the 3-0 win over Afghanistan in Colombo as Pakistan won the final ODI by 59 runs, courtesy a century partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq took the Player of Series.
Pakistan to play Nepal and India in Asia Cup 2023
The Men in Green will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on August 30. The side will then travel to Sri Lanka to see arch-rivals India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2.
