Pakistan are hosting their first ICC event after a gap of 28 years, the last being the 1996 World Cup. However, the eight-team competition will only see seven teams including Pakistan playing in the country as India to play all their matches in Dubai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan will enter the marquee tournament as defending champions having defeated India in the 2017 edition's final. Latif feels that the home side should focus on their preparations and not think about India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThese are exciting times for a cricket-crazy nation. The world\u2019s top teams will be participating in this mega event,\u201d Rashid told Pakistan English Daily Dawn.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI commend the efforts of the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their relentless lobbying with the International Cricket Council (ICC), ensuring that Pakistan gets the opportunity to host this tournament. India will play their matches in the UAE, and that is their business; Pakistan should focus solely on playing attacking cricket,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Latif expressed confidence in Pakistan's spin prowess keeping them ahead in the home conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am confident that our players will seize the opportunity to play in home conditions. We have quality spinners like mystery bowler Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faisal Akram. Additionally, Salman Ali Agha is a valuable asset,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, the former cricketer also shared his concerns regarding Pakistan's opening pair as Saim Ayub is recovering from his ankle fracture sustained during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am worried about Saim Ayub\u2019s injury, and with Abdullah Shafique also out of form, we are left in a bit of a dilemma,\u201d he said. He also pointed out that in recent years, Pakistan experimented with several opening combinations, including Abdullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Shan Masood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhile all of these players are talented, finding the right combination could be a challenge. I am unsure what the selectors are thinking, but perhaps they will opt for Fakhar and Shan Masood as the opening pair. We\u2019ll have to wait and see,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Latif termed India a \"strong team\" but backed England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa as formidable opponents for Pakistan. \u201cIndia is a strong team, but I believe these four teams could pose a greater challenge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhile all of these players are talented, finding the right combination could be a challenge. I am unsure what the selectors are thinking, but perhaps they will opt for Fakhar and Shan Masood as the opening pair. We\u2019ll have to wait and see,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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