This acknowledgment reflects the intense rivalry and the meticulous preparation that accompanies matches between these two cricketing giants.
Elaborating it further Shaheen said: “I always try to get an early breakthrough for the team which eventually puts the opposition on the backfoot.”
“The middle-order batters haven’t faced the new ball enough like the openers, and that ultimately put them under a lot of pressure,” added Shaheen.
Earlier India skipper Rohit Sharma, on the eve of the match, lauded the Pakistan pacers, stressing on the fact that his side will bank on experience to counter the threat posed by the likes of Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
“Look, in the nets, we don’t have Shaheen, Naseem or Rauf. We practise with who we have. They are all quality bowlers. We just have to use our experience to play them tomorrow,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference in Kandy on Friday.
The Indian captain has downplayed the hype surrounding the rivalry ahead of the crucial clash. However, he did acknowledge Pakistan’s strong performance in white-ball cricket in recent times. This balanced perspective from the skipper reflects the professionalism and sportsmanship that often accompanies cricket matches between India and Pakistan.
While these matches are intensely anticipated and carry a heavy historical and emotional weight, players and teams recognize the importance of maintaining focus on their performance and strategy.
Acknowledging the opponent’s recent success is a testament to the level of competition and respect that exists within the cricketing world, even in the midst of intense rivalries.