KARACHI, July 9: The cricket manager of the Pakistan team Haroon Rasheed believes that his side had a good chance of winning the Asia Cup but added that Sri Lanka would start as favourites.
The four-nation Asia Cup begins in Colombo on Monday with Pakistan playing the opener against Bangladesh. For the event, the team leaves here on Thursday morning. ``Sri Lanka have been playing excellent cricket in the past couple of years and also have justified their status as world champions by winning in India and in Sharjah,'' said Haroon. ``They (Sri Lanka) would be a hard nut to crack.''
The former Test cricketer stated that Sri Lanka were a better knit team in the background that it comprise players who have been playing together since 1991. ``Moreover, the Sri Lankans will be better aware of the conditions and, nature and behaviour of the strips.'' However, Haroon Rasheed, on his first assignment, said Pakistan had a good chance of winning. ``The way the team played in the Independence Cup followed by the three-nation event in Hyderabad, Deccan, I am quite optimistic that we would be able to win the elude title.''
Haroon said the boys were determined to do well. ``There is harmony in the team and the boys are keen to win with collective efforts rather than depend on a couple of players. ``I agree that we will be without our senior bowlers but I think we are still the better team. The batting is reliable and there is more variety in the bowling department. ``If slow and turning tracks are prepared, Arshad Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Husain can really cause problems.
``We are going there with an open mind but in one-day cricket no one can predict the outcome. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka are capable of winning the title but all depends on which team plays well on those particular days.'' Haroon was anticipating a strong reply from India. ``They will be aiming to settle the defeats they suffered at the hands of Pakistan in the two tournaments. ``Azharuddin's inclusion has made the batting line-up more balanced but bowling is still India's weakest area.
``Only complacency will be our enemy against India,'' said Haroon Rasheed. Haroon said Aamir Sohail's inclusion has been welcomed by all the players. ``Of course, he is a valuable player who has an experience of over 100 one-day internationals under his cap. ``He had been attending the camp and there was no ill-feeling as he was taking part in the team meetings and other training sessions.''
The cricket manager said during the training camp, fielding was given top priority ``because it still remains our weakest area. Efforts have been made to improve it but 15 days is not an enough time to change it drastically.''
Haroon stated that discipline will once again be the top priority. ``Every player has been informed of his responsibilities and have been told what they are supposed to do on the field and off the field. ``On the field, every player will concentrate on the match while off the field, proper dress code will be maintained. Between the rest days, regular training sessions will be held while some training is also planned after the conclusion of the match.''
Haroon admitted that there could be a problem in batting. ``Yes, it is a matter of concern but we have decided that Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail will open the innings and if either of two depart early, Shahid Afridi will be promoted so that 15 overs can be utilised. But if we get a sound start, Afridi will bat after Moin Khan. ``There can be some more reshuffling in the batting order,'' hinted Haroon.