Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed Tuesday said he is concerned at the wicket-less spell of his strike bowler Mohammad Aamir, as his side geared up to take on arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup.
Left-arm pacer Aamir has not been amongst the wickets in recent times and his skipper was asked about it in the pre-match press conference.
"I am concerned but I don't think wickets itself are a reflection of performance. Take for example, India pacer (Mohammad) Shami's case in England. He bowled well but couldn't get wickets. I have spoken to him (Aamir) and told him that he is our strike bowler and has to pick wickets too. Hope he does that tomorrow," Sarfraz told reporters.
Sarfraz was also asked about Virat Kohli's absence but he felt that India may not miss their captain in these conditions.
"As a team not to have your regular captain is a factor. There could be a difference in the frame of mind. But they have enough players who have done well for them, and the conditions are also the same for them. If conditions are adverse then a world class player makes a difference," Sarfraz said on the eve of the big game.
Kohli has been rested for the continental tournament after the long tour of England.
When asked about the challenge of playing in the extreme weather conditions, he said, "It is difficult in this weather and it should have been even for all the teams. I don't know what the ACC thought behind the schedule. I have not spoken to anyone about it."
"Pressure is always there but we deal with it by telling ourselves that we should have the same intensity for every match. We take these matches normally but there is hype everywhere else, it does affect but we play it as just any other match."
"They have got back-to-back matches but their schedule has started later than others. They would be under pressure because their performance coming into this tournament was not good."
"People say it's our home ground but conditions are even for all the teams, the whether is like that of the sub-continent. It's a home ground for everyone. We are very clear about the team, I have discussed with the coach. We will field our best team."
"As for craze, when we are playing against India, everybody wants us to win. It inspires us, we get well wishes from fans. It's the same for Indians. Any player who performs here gets to be a hero, it has been the case in the past."