DHAKA - Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik is pumped up about the upcoming clash against arch-rivals India in the ongoing Asia Cup T20.
"Indian batsmen are very consistent but we have a good bowling attack. This is going to be a great game. This is going to be a big opportunity for players of both the teams, India-Pakistan matches always are," Malik told an Indian TV channel .
Malik said Pakistan's players are geared up after the Pakistan Super League and even though India have dominated Australia, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh in the tournament opener, it would be a battle to watch out for in the weekend.
"Coming after playing the PSL straightaway, our preparation has been very good. There's no doubt India have performed very well in Australia and even vs Bangladesh yesterday, (but) I think it will be a great battle between two good teams," Malik said. The 34-year-old, who has so far played 70 T20 matches for Pakistan, said it would be great to meet India in the final of the Asia Cup before the World T20 match next month as the two sides don't get to play each other very often. "We wish it happens (playing India again in the Asia Cup in final and then in Dharamshala on March 19). We always want to play more and more against each other. Let's hope it happens."
More importantly, Malik had to answer a question about wife and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza's support. Who would she be cheering for when the two countries battle it out in front of the Mirpur crowd?
"We maintain the same status; she supports Team India and wants her husband to do well, perform well in the middle if he is playing," said the former Pakistan captain.
Malik also had kind words to say for Mohammad Aamir, who has made a successful international comeback after serving a five-year ban over his role in the spot-fixing scandal of 2010. The 23-year-old's return had created a major controversy in Pakistan cricket, with a few senior players protesting during a national camp.
"Aamir is returning after a gap of five years but you can see that his performance is consistent now. Cricketers of the world admit that he is still a world-class bowler but he needs a bit more time to settle down."