Asia Cup 2023, India vs Pakistan: We will use our experience against Pakistani pacers, says Rohit Sharma

India captain Rohit Sharma has acknowledged that arch-rivals Pakistan have “quality” fast bowlers but is confident that Indian batters will be able to deal with them by using their experience. The fearsome fast bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Sah pose the biggest threat to India in their Asia Cup 2023 opener against Pakistan. Shaheen had starred with three wickets including that of Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli when India lost their first World Cup match to Pakistan in 2021 during the T20 world event. IND vs PAK: Rohit vs Shaheen, Babar vs Kuldeep and more — top player battles an stats All three pacers, Shaheen, Rauf and Shah, are also capable of swinging the ball, which makes them even more dangerous. “We don’t have Shaheen, Naseem and Rauf in the nets. We practice with what we have. All three are quality bowlers. Pakistan always had quality bowlers. We have seen their strengths and weaknesses. We will use our experience against them,” said Rohit on the eve of the India-Pakistan ODI. IND vs PAK: Head-to-head in Asia Cup, leading run scorer and top wicket-taker While India vs Pakistan is one of the most anticipated matches, Rohit said that Team India is not focussing on the rivalry, instead they are looking to play good cricket. “Anyone can beat anyone. Rivalry is for people to talk about. As Team India, we focus on how to get better on match day. Focussing on other things (rivalry) is not going to help, but doing right things on the field will,” he added. IND vs PAK: Kohli, Shadab on batting vs bowling battle in India-Pakistan The India captain also praised the Pakistan side who are currently the No 1 team in ODIs but added that his team has prepared well for the match. “Pakistan have done well in the last few years. May it be the T20 World Cup, 50 over format. Pakistan team has worked hard, play as a unit. It will be a challenge to play against them. We have prepared well for this match and tournament,” Rohit said. While India have been struggling with injuries to key players in the recent past, Rohit said that the team cannot see the Asia Cup as a fitness test. He added that Asia Cup is a “big tournament”. “By no means, this is a fitness test or any other thing. This is a tournament played between top 6 Asian teams. It’s a very big tournament for all of us, without a doubt. In the past, it has had so much history. So yeah, the fitness test and the fitness camp and all that was done in Bengaluru. Now, we have to move ahead and get out game face on and see what we can achieve in this tournament,” Rohit said. On the personal front, Rohit said that he will need to bring balance into his batting after playing high-risk cricket in the last two years due to the T20 World Cups. “I have played a lot of cricket so it’s important to use that experience. Will do what the team requires from me. In the past two years, I have played a different brand of cricket - it was a high-risk cricket when it comes to batting. I need to bring the right balance to my game - when it comes to taking risks,” the opener said. “My role as a top-order batter is important for the team. To bat long for the team and put the team in a good position. The idea will be to use my experience to put the team in a good position," he added.