India vs Pakistan: Avesh Khan's Father Says India "Must Win" Asia Cup Match vs Pakistan
India vs Pakistan: Avesh Khan's father said that it was imperative for India to beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup match, whether his son plays or not.
As the nation bled blue and the streets echoed with cheers for the Indian cricket team facing their arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, bowler Avesh Khan's family was glued to the television as the home side bowled the greens in the first inning on Sunday. The family sounded positive and rallied on high energy as Khan who's part of the playing XI in the match was seen crashing a wicket at the Dubai International stadium.
"Irrespective of Avesh playing or not, India must win the match along with winning the trophy," Avesh Khan's father told ANI.
The whole family was seen engrossed in the match including the kids.
He further showed confidence in the team and said, "Indian team is strong. We must win."
The Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first against the arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster clash in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli began his 100th T20I match when he took to the field against Pakistan in the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2022 campaign opener.
The last time India met Pakistan in a T20I was the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where they were thoroughly defeated with Pakistan registering a 10-wicket victory. That was the first time Pakistan defeated India in a World Cup clash. And now, India finally have their chance to avenge the loss.
The high-profile clash will have a few big names missing, including Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi and Harshal Patel, but that won't take away from the excitement of the two teams competing for the first time since October last year.
India are the team in form heading into the Asia Cup 2022, with away T20I series triumphs in Ireland, England and West Indies.
Naseem Shah of Pakistan made his T20 International debut against India.
Speaking at the time of the toss, India captain Rohit Sharma, "Honestly, I don't think the toss is that important, we just hear to play good cricket. We've played here in the IPL, so hopefully, the pitch will be good. It was a tough call we had to take between playing Dinesh and Rishabh, Rishabh sadly misses out. And Avesh makes it as the third seamer. This is an important game for us, but as cricketers, we don't want to think about the opposition, we just want to correct whatever mistakes we are doing. We are bowling first."
Speaking at the time of toss, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said, "We would have also been bowling first, but this is not in our hands. We will look to make a big score and see. Three fast bowlers, two spinners and a debut for Naseem Shah. There are a few new faces, and some old faces in that Indian team. We are trying to give it our best."
India Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team