(AFP Photo)
Pakistan captain Babar Azam believes that the India-Pakistan encounters at the World Cups are the most significant matches in international cricket.
Reappointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain in April, Babar Azam is preparing his team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green have performed well in previous T20 World Cups and will be entering this edition as the runners-up from the last tournament in Australia.
In the 2021 edition, Pakistan reached the semi-finals but were defeated by the eventual champions, Australia. However, they achieved a memorable victory over India in their opening match, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan leading their team to a 10-wicket win in the UAE. This loss contributed to India’s early exit from the tournament in the group stages.
What did Babar Azam say?
During a recent PCB podcast, Babar Azam spoke about the India-Pakistan clashes, stating that there is no match bigger or more talked about in the world of cricket. He noted that the atmosphere is unique during an India-Pakistan game, with fans creating an electrifying buzz in the stadiums, which makes the experience much more thrilling.
“We know the Pakistan-India fixture generates more discussion than any other match. There is a different vibe altogether for this fixture, and there’s a lot of excitement too not just among players but also among the fans,” Babar said via PCB podcast.
Babar Azam mentioned that no matter where he travels, people always discuss the India-Pakistan matches. He believes this is the game fans anticipate for years. In the last edition, his team nearly secured a victory against India, but a crucial innings from Virat Kohli turned the match in India’s favor.
“Wherever you go in the world, you’ll have people talking about the India-Pakistan match with everyone supporting their country. Every fan eagerly waits for this fixture and focuses on this one particular match,” Babar added.
Babar speaks about the nervousness
Babar Azam noted that the expectations and excitement surrounding this match can make players nervous. The Pakistani captain said that if players concentrate on mastering the basics, they can manage the pressure more effectively, making the game much easier for them.
“Obviously, the expectations and the hype around this match causes some nervousness. It all comes down to how you handle it and the more you focus on the basics, the easier it will be for you as a player.”
Babar Azam then gave a suggestion to his Pakistani players that they should be able to calm themselves down in the big game. He claimed that it would be much easier for the players if they just focus on doing what they should.
“It’s a game of immense pressure, and if you keep your head cool, stay calm and trust your hard work and skills, things will be easier, Babar Azam concluded.
