DUBAI: Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in its first match of the ICC T-20 Cricket World Cup in Dubai today (Sunday).
The match will start at 7:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time). India captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan counterpart Babar Azam have called it just another game amid the ongoing frenzy surrounding the game.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has vowed his team would not think about Pakistan’s poor record against India when they meet. Exuding confidence, Azam stressed that the past is irrelevant to his players.
“We are not focused on what happened in the past, but looking forward to what lies ahead,” he said. “It’s important to start well, and make an early impact. We are excited to be here.”
The captain admitted it would be a match full of intensity, saying that “the matches between Pakistan and India are always full of intensity so we need to perform well in all three departments of the game.” “We want to use our ability and confidence on the day of the match so that we can get a better result. Records are meant to be broken,” he added.
The captain also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had shared his experiences with the team. “The prime minister met us before our departure and shared his experiences of the 1992 win and told us to play aggressive and fearless cricket against India.”
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said spirits are high for Pakistan-India T-20 World Cup match. He expressed hope that Pakistan would emerge victorious in the high profile match against the arch rivals.
‘Pakistani team is strong’
India captain Virat Kohli said his side’s impeccable tournament record against Pakistan will count for nothing when they face each other and they will need to be at their very best to overcome Babar Azam’s side in the Twenty20 World Cup.
The Indian captain said the team did not think about past records or what had happened in prior World Cup matches between the two countries.
“We never discussed it within the team — what our record is, or what we achieved in the past,” he added. “They distract you. What matters is how you prepare and how you perform on that given day regardless of opposition. These things are added pressure.”
Kohli said teams would underestimate the 2009 champions at their own peril. “The current Pakistan team is very strong, they always have been so. They are very talented, with several players who can change the game anytime,” Kohli said.
“Against a team like that, you need to arrive with your best plans, and make sure you execute it well. We definitely have to bring our A game tomorrow.”
India have a 12-0 record against Pakistan in Twenty20 and 50-overs World Cups and will hope to extend that streak in their tournament opener against their arch-rivals. Kohli will relinquish Twenty20 captaincy after the showpiece event.
