Haris Sohail: 'India-Pakistan just a game'

The left-hand batsman, who is replacing teammate Umar Akmal in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad, is confident of his team’s chances against India but urged them to not get carried away by the hype surroundig the rivalry.

Sohail has shown his prowess in List A cricket recently, having raced up two fifties and a century in his last five games.

Pakistan does not need any added motivation for its Champions Trophy opener against India but batsman Haris Sohail insists his team has to forget about the opposition it is facing in the marquee clash on Sunday.

Rain at Edgbaston curtailed Pakistan’s final warm-up game before the start of the tournament, with Australia making 57 for one batting first in 10 overs yesterday.

For Pakistan, the focus now shifts to taking on arch rival India in the opening pool encounter at the same ground. While these matches usually provide a little extra spice, Sohail urged his team not to get carried away with the rivalry.

And when match day rolls around, the 28-year-old, who came in as a replacement for Umar Akmal, is confident his team will have adjusted to the weather conditions, having had spent a fortnight on English soil.

“We have had a good couple of days of practice. It is a huge game against India, a really big game but it is just a game.We are preparing ourselves for all the hard encounters,” Sohail said.

“Our strength is our bowling and fielding and we are working on all these aspects of our game.”

“It is difficult for us but we have been here for 10 days before our first game and that should hold us in good stead,” he said.