Karachi, Oct. 27: Pakistan is aiming to clinch the cricket title at next month’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, where the sport makes its debut in the Asiad.
With India not sending their cricket team, Pakistan believe their second string team can win the Asian Games gold. Khalid Latif, Pakistan’s young captain, stressed that his team will do their best for a medal finish. “We (cricketers) have never featured in events like the Olympics or the Asian Games, but we can sense the athletes’ feeling when their country’s flag is on top after winning a gold medal,” Latif told the Express Tribune. “It’s an important assignment and we won’t take it lightly. Playing for the senior side is a big honour and representing the country in a big event is great,” he said.
Pakistan are among the seeded teams in the event that also features Test nations like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh besides Afghanistan. Hosts China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore and Nepal are the other teams taking part.
Latif said India’s absence has made Pakistan one of the favourites. “Indians are tough competitors but their absence has made us one of the favourites.”