Spinner Usman Tariq is our trump card, says Salman Agha

Skipper Pakistan cricket team Salman Ali Agha said on Sunday that the team was ready to face arch-rivals India in the ICC’s Men’s T20 World Cup match to be played in Colombo today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He said it would be the team’s endeavour to play well against India.

Asserting that spinners would have a greater role to play in today’s match, which is also called the mother of all matches, he declared spinner Usman Tariq a trump card ahead of the clash. “Tariq’s bowling action has been cleared twice. I am at a loss to understand why people are again raising eyebrows over his action.”

“It will be a battle of nerves,” he said, adding that the players would have to outclass India in every department of the game if they are to win today’s encounter.

Pakistan skipper Salman Agha had said on Saturday his team had been "always ready" to face India on Sunday at the T20 World Cup, despite only being given the greenlight a few days ago.

"This is a very big game and the magnitude is huge," Agha said ahead of the team's practice at the stadium.

Pakistan had a scrappy last over three-wicket win in their first match against the Netherlands before beating the United States by 32 runs. India have also won both their matches so far.

"We are in good momentum and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions," said Agha.

Agha hoped the players would shake hands, unlike during their three Asia Cup matches in Dubai last year.

"The game should be played in the true spirit of the game," said Agha.

"It has been the norm in cricket for years but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow."

The winner will be guaranteed berth in the next Super Eights round.

He said Babar Azam is performing and he hoped Babar will score runs tomorrow too.

“We can't say anything about rain, even if the match is curtailed, our plan is ready,” Agha said.

The biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket has sold out the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with hundreds of millions more expected to watch on television.

PA speaker expresses good wishes for team

Also on Sunday, Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan expressed his good wishes for the team, which is going to take on India today. “We are optimistic. But only the team playing better wins,” he reminded.

He said that sports and politics should always be kept apart. “Promoting sportsman spirit is need of the hour,” the speaker opined.