Buoyed by the tri-series triumph over India, Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson is confident that his team would once again prove a handful for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men in the Asia Cup starting June 24 in Karachi.
The Australian said his team's prospects were very good in the coming tournament after the final victory over India in Dhaka last week.
"Our prospects are very good in the tournament; India and Sri Lanka are good teams and a real challenge. We've just played India and we know that we can beat them. We haven't played Sri Lanka for a while, but they're always a good side... but I think if we play the best cricket then we've very good chances of winning the Asia Cup," Lawson stated.
Lawson was speaking to reporters at the National stadium in Karachi on Saturday after conducting a session of the Pakistan probables.
Selectors are due to announce the final 15-member Pakistan squad on Sunday for the Asia Cup.
Lawson also said one shouldn't take associate teams like Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates lightly.
"Hong Kong who are in our group are a good team and it is good to know they are aiming to upset us, they would like to play well against us and I think we cannot take the match lightly. Players will have to be positive in that match like any other important match," he said.
Lawson also felt that one reason Pakistan had won in Dhaka in the tri series was because their fitness was better than the Indians.
"We are working very hard on fitness, our general fitness is very good," he added.
Lawson also stressed that big wins give the psychological advantage before a big competition.
"Whenever you beat a team in a big match, you gets the psychological advantage against them, and yes, we have an psychological advantage against India in the Asia Cup," he said.
Lawson said it was good that the Mohammad Asif issue was finally resolved.
"It is good to see him back. That he is training and looking for the cricket. He's a professional cricketer and I am hoping that he'll be back with us very soon, we are looking forward to have him in the team, but it's upto the PCB," Lawson stated.
Lawson disclosed that allrounder Shahid Afridi had hurt his wrist in the tri-series final in Dhaka.
"Shahid is having some treatment, will assess his fitness tomorrow in practice, I think he had hurt his wrist in final against India in Bangladesh," he said.
Lawson still felt Pakistan would be the team to play in the final.
"I am not worried about the other team, it could be Hong Kong. For winning (consistently) we'll have to play every match with equal importance. We are strong in every department, what we need is to keep improving in all areas. We can never be satisfied, we will have to keep improving every day," he added.
