Asia Cup 2023: Mohammad Shami emphasizes focus and team unity ahead of India’s opening match

With their greatest bowling lineup, Team India is ready for the Asia Cup 2023. On Saturday, the Men-In-Blue will face Pakistan in their inaugural game.

Mohammad Shami, an Indian pitcher, underlined the high stakes of major competitions on Thursday.

“For big games, there is always preparation as we have practiced in the training camp. I don’t think we have to analyse too much into the situation, we have the skill and the bowling lineup, so we don’t have to think too much.

“But I have to say one thing, whenever one-day matches come, there has to be focus. So to be focused and to have proper planning,” he told Star Sports.

Shami underlined the need of maintaining concentration and following a well-structured plan during one-day matches with a consistent belief in the team’s talent and bowling choices. Shami also takes into account the impact of significant players on the squad, particularly while playing in the white-ball style, such as Jasprit Bumrah.

Shami stated, “Depends on whether I have the new ball or whether the team requires me at any stage during the match, I’m always on. I don’t have any hesitancy to bowl with the new ball or the old ball. I don’t have an ego like that. All three of us (Bumrah, Shami & Siraj) are bowling very well, so it depends on the management on who will play.”

He further added, “There is only one goal, to go and give our 100%, the result will come running to us if we give our 100%. So it is very important to focus and execute, it’s a very simple plan. There is too much talk about the white ball or red ball, if you bowl in the right areas I don’t think that there is any difficulty in any ball.”

With Bumrah rejoining the team, the Indian bowling lineup featuring Mohammad Siraj and Shami will be intriguing to watch for the first time in a while. With Bumrah joining the team, Shami felt energised and happy.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif previously spoke with Star Sports and discussed Shami’s potential. Kaif said, “Mohammed Shami is a fantastic bowler, his form is also very good. And even in Bumrah’s absence, he managed the bowling very well.

Even his form in the IPL was great. So he has a lot of talent. In my opinion, Babar Azam is going to have a lot of difficulty facing Mohammed Shami,” he added.

-IANS