In the history of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Pakistan has yet to secure a victory against India. Despite seven attempts since their first encounter in the 1992 tournament in Australia, Pakistan has always fallen short. However, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, is optimistic that his team can turn the tide in this year’s World Cup.
Breaking Records and Looking Ahead
Babar Azam is not one to dwell on past failures. Instead, he focuses on the future and the opportunities it presents. “Records are made to be broken, and I aim to shatter them,” he confidently stated. He believes that the outcome of a match depends on the team’s performance on the day itself. He expressed confidence in his team, which has performed well in the first two matches, and expects the same level of performance in the upcoming games.
India’s Dominance in Recent ODIs
India has maintained its winning streak in the recent ODIs against Pakistan. Their only encounter since the 2019 Cricket World Cup saw India emerge victorious, thanks to the stellar performances of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. The duo’s centuries led India to a resounding 228-run victory in this year’s Asia Cup, securing the trophy for their team. The last World Cup encounter in 2019 also saw India triumph, with Rohit Sharma and Kohli leading the team to an 89-run victory.
High-Intensity Rivalry
Babar Azam acknowledged the high-intensity nature of the India-Pakistan matches. However, he revealed that Pakistan’s recent losses against India have not been a topic of discussion within the team. Instead, he has encouraged his team to give their best and execute their plans. He views the upcoming match as a golden opportunity for his team to perform well and become heroes in front of their fans.
Pakistan’s Confidence Boost
Pakistan has had a promising start to their World Cup campaign, with victories in their opening matches against Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. Despite Babar’s failure to score big in these matches, Abdullah Shafique, one of the team’s young talents, scored a century in his World Cup debut against Sri Lanka. Babar believes that the team’s blend of youth and experience will help them handle the pressure of the grand stage against India.
Handling Pressure and Staying Focused
Babar Azam emphasized the importance of handling pressure and staying focused during high-stakes matches. He advised his team to keep their eyes on the ball, whether they are in the field or batting. He believes that by not overthinking and staying focused, they can handle the pressure of the big game against India.