The Pakistan captain Babar Azam isn’t too much under pressure because of the India vs Pakistan encounter. But Babar revealed he’s more under pressure due to the demand for tickets he’s been getting from friends.
India and Pakistan will face off in the much-awaited, super-hyped-up World Cup 2023 game on Saturday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Adding a bit of light-hearted touch in the build-up to the epic IND vs PAK clash in Ahmedabad, Babar Azam said that a lot of people have been calling him more because of the tickets.
“No such pressure… but lot of pressure for tickets. Lot of people calling and asking for tickets only,” Babar said in the press conference.
On a more serious note, Babar Azam added: “Handling pressure comes with experience. When I played the India vs Pakistan match for first time, I was under pressure. Job of senior players is to give the right message to youngsters. No need to think more, watch the ball and play the ball.”
All these streaks are made to be broken: Babar Azam
India have a clean slate till now over Pakistan in ODI World Cup matches: 7-0, including a victory in the 2011 World Cup semi-final.
When pointed out this stat again in the press conference, Babar Azam said that anything can happen on the match day.
“I believe there is no point focusing on whatever has happened in the past. I believe we need to focus on what is ahead of us. All these streaks are made to be broken. God willing, we will try to give our best tomorrow. Anything can happen on the day. I fully believe my team has done well in the first three matches, and will continue doing so in the coming matches,” the Pakistani skipper added.
“India-Pakistan is a big game, high-intensity game. All I have said to the boys is: give yourselves the best opportunity to win. Keep doing what you have been doing. execute your plans, keep your belief, Ahmedabad is a big stadium, a lot of people are coming, but this is a great opportunity for us to do well in front of them.”
Babar has an ordinary record against India in ODIs: 6 innings, 168 runs at an average of only 28 with not half-century.
