Former Pakistani opener Salman Butt talked about the current state of the Pakistan cricket team as they prepare to take on Nepal in the first game of the Asia Cup 2023 in Multan.
Butt, 38, discussed a number of factors that makes Pakistan a complete team.
He started by congratulating the Green Shirts for becoming the number one ODI team after thrashing Afghanistan 3-0 in a three-ODI series.
"I want to congratulate everyone on becoming the number one ODI team," Butt began. "We need to keep on playing like this. To maintain the number one rank, we need to work much harder."
The 38-year-old also stated that the Pakistan team have much bigger and harder targets as they get closer to the Asia Cup and also discussed the team's combination.
"Pakistan team have tough goals ahead: Asia Cup and the World Cup.
"Our team's combination is stable right now, everyone in the team play with unity, which is a good thing."
"Saud Shakeel's batting technique is very good and the way he bats, he can be successful in ODIs as well.
"Unfortunately, in the past we middle-order could not play long innings [but now it has changed]."
He also opened up about Pakistan's tour to Sri Lanka before the Asia Cup and how helpful it is going to be.
"The team will benefit from playing in Sri Lanka before the Asia Cup. When you have played on the same pitches before a big tournament, you get familiar with the conditions," he said.
Talking about Shaheen Shah Afridi, he said that his first over has now become a challenge for every batter.
"Everyone knows Shaheen bowls an inswinging delivery at full length in his first over. It has become a challenge even for the best batters in the world."
Lastly, Butt analysed India's team for the Asia Cup and said that if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli lose their wickets, then they cannot do anything.
"If Pakistan can get early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, then [India will be in trouble], the rest of their players have no experience of playing under pressure.
"Although, Sharma and Kohli can single-handedly decide a match's fate."
