Pakistan face Afghanistan in their opening Super Four match at the Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. After their loss against India in the last game of the group stage, Pakistan know the stakes are now much higher.
"The mood hasn't changed much. I think we all knew that the group stage was important to win the first game and guarantee qualification and then when India beat Hong Kong I think it guaranteed qualificaion as well," said opening Pakistan batsman Shan Masood. "So the hard work and the real work will start from now because whatever we'll do will have repercussions, a win will benefit us and a loss from now on will cost us. So the mood's still positive and we are looking to play the Asia Cup final against whoever comes out of it."In the Super Four, each team will play three matches and the top two of this stage will compete for the Asia Cup trophy in the final on 28th September.