I always aim for five-wicket hauls, says Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf

Pakistan is never short of talents in cricket who dream of making it big. Faheem Ashraf, one of the fast-emerging all-rounders from that country, is one of them who is aspiring to be at his best from the word go in the upcoming Asia Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting Saturday. The 24-year-old cricketer, who bats left-handed but bowls right-arm medium pace, spent long hours in the nets at the ICC Academy on Wednesday.

Ashraf made his international debut in June last year and has played three Tests, 12 ODIs and 17 T20Is so far and has one Test fifty and one five-wicket haul in the ODIs till date. He picked up his only five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in the five-match series played in July.

“My job is to work hard and perform well, it’s the job of the coaches and others to pick me for the playing XI,” Gulf News quoted Ashraf as saying. “As a player, I always want to take five wickets but it depends on my performance on that day.”

Ashraf content with Pakistan preparation for Asia Cup

Expressing satisfaction over Pakistan’s preparation for Asia Cup, Ashraf said: “Before the Lahore training camp, we also trained hard in Abbottabad with the Army. Following Abbottabad, we trained in hot weather in Lahore so that it would be easier to adjust to the heat of Dubai.” Pakistan will open their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong on September 16 and on September 19, they will take on arch-rivals India led by Rohit Sharma.

“We are trying to get used to the conditions here as soon as possible so that we don’t have problems in our first match,” the cricketer said.

Dubai, which is hosting Asia Cup this time, has served as one of Pakistan’s home grounds after international cricket got disrupted on their own soil and their players have a fair familiarity with the conditions there. Ashraf admitted that but was also careful not to be complacent in an event which has some good sides.

Pakistan have won the Asia Cup twice before and on both occasions, they did it in Bangladesh.

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