Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is confident that his side would defeat India in the T20 World Cup clash on October 24 as both the rivals will start their tournament campaign by playing against each other.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is optimistic that Pakistan will beat India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Both the rivals will play their first match of the mega event against each other.
The mega event will begin on October 17 and the game would be held between these two nations at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on October 24.
Pakistan has a very good record against India in the bilateral series and won more matches than India in tests and ODIs.
However, Pakistan’s performance in the ICC events isn’t very well and men in green always look in trouble in the ICC events.
Pakistan and India have met each other in the 2019 World Cup and now will play against each other in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan and India have been one of the most highlighted matches in the ICC events and both countries have shared great memories from it.
“We’ve been playing cricket in UAE for the past 3-4 years and we know the conditions well,”
Azam was quoted as saying by the ICC.
“We know how the wicket will behave and the adjustments batters will have to make. On the day who plays the better cricket, wins the match. If you ask me, we will win,”
added the star batsman, who is set to play his first T20 World Cup and will make his debut as captain.
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UAE cricket ground was the Pakistan home ground after the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team. Pakistan has played mostly in the UAE in past years.
Pakistan has never won a world cup game against India but Babar is saying that it was a part of the past and we are very confident at this time.
“We know the pressure and the high intensity of each game, especially the first one. Hopefully, we can win the match and carry the momentum forward.
“Your belief and confidence as a group matter a lot before a tournament. As a team, our confidence and morale are high. We are not thinking of the past but the future. We are preparing for that.
“I am fully confident that we are well prepared and will play good cricket on the day,”
he added.
“All the players have entered the side after a good domestic performance.”
“We have a lot to learn from the senior players in the side because they have so much experience, they have played the World Cup and leagues before.
“7-8 players in our squad have also played the Champions Trophy before which brings out different confidence.”
Pakistan will have played under the guidance of former Australian player Mathew Hayden and former South African pacer Vernor Philander at the T20 World Cup.
Both have been assigned to the Pakistan cricket team coaching staff for the mega event in the UAE. Hayden will play the role of Head Coach and Philander will serve as a bowling coach.
“Hayden and Philander bring a lot of experience. We will attempt to learn from them as much as we can and quickly. The boys can absorb quickly and mix with them.
“You can see Philander has already started working hard with the bowlers and you can see the record, bowlers win you the tournament. Hasan Ali was our best bowler in the Champions Trophy. He will take the bowling line-up alongside him,”
said Azam.
Pakistan will play their warm-up matches on October 18 and October 20 against West Indies and South Africa before the mega event.