"Every match against India is extremely important"

Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, expressed happiness in his team's preparations ahead of the Asia Cup 2018, vowing to go into the game against India fully prepared.

"Every match against India is extremely important"

Ahmed said. "Momentum is very important, so we'll try to generate momentum in the first game and go into the fixture against India thoroughly prepared." The last time the sides faced each other was at the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, which Pakistan won by a large margin of 180 runs. 

But Ahmed feels that will have no bearing on the Asia Cup contest. "That match is in the past. It was almost one-and-a-half years ago. So I don't think we should consider it that much. All professional teams put the past behind and look forward. Both teams will do the same."