ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup: Babar Azam Prioritizes Ticket Pressure Over Match Itself
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam, accompanied by Mohammad Rizwan, was seen practicing at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 13, 2023. As the highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India approaches, Babar Azam expressed that the pressure of acquiring tickets for the match surpasses the intensity of the game itself. The longstanding cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan has garnered significant global attention, drawing in millions of viewers from around the world.
India Aims for Third Consecutive Victory in Faceoff with Pakistan
Having secured two consecutive wins, India heads into the showdown against Pakistan with soaring confidence. The traditional rivals are set to lock horns at the renowned Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, addressed the media in a pre-match press conference and emphasized that the pressure lies in procuring match tickets rather than the actual game. He further asserted that the match against India does not weigh heavily on their shoulders, as the two nations have faced each other numerous times in the past.
Optimism and Belief Drive Pakistan
Undeterred by India’s formidable reputation in cricket, Babar Azam exuded confidence in his team’s ability to emerge victorious. Disregarding past records, the Pakistan skipper stressed the importance of focusing on the present and capitalizing on the opportunity that lies ahead. He acknowledged the high-intensity nature of an India-Pakistan match and expressed his belief in the team’s potential to perform well in front of their supportive fans. Azam highlighted the invaluable assistance provided by experienced players in helping younger ones overcome nervousness and elevate their performance on the field.
Strategic Planning Key to Pakistan’s Success
Babar Azam emphasized the significance of strategic planning, particularly in relation to the ever-changing conditions of the pitch. He highlighted the distinction between the wicket’s behavior in the first 10 overs and its subsequent transformation. Consequently, he stressed the need for adaptability and meticulous planning to optimize the team’s performance. Despite the absence of Naseem Shah, Azam expressed full confidence in Shaheen Afridi, hailing him as their premier bowler. He dismissed concerns about a few matches with subpar performances, emphasizing that they do not affect the team’s overall belief in their abilities.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Triumph Fuels ODI Aspirations
Recalling Pakistan’s victory over India in the T20 World Cup held in 2021, Babar Azam conveyed his optimism for repeating the feat in the ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad. Reflecting on his own performance, Azam expressed the hope for an improved run tally in the current World Cup. Additionally, he emphasized the crucial role of fielding in determining a team’s success in the tournament, stressing the team’s devoted efforts to enhance their fielding capabilities. Azam concluded by affirming that fielding is a reflection of attitude, underscoring his team’s commitment to delivering their best on all fronts.
Squads for the India-Pakistan Clash
India Squad:
– Rohit Sharma (c)
– Hardik Pandya (vc)
– Shubman Gill
– Virat Kohli
– Shreyas Iyer
– KL Rahul
– Ravindra Jadeja
– Shardul Thakur
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Mohammed Siraj
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Mohammed Shami
– Ravichandran Ashwin
– Ishan Kishan
– Suryakumar Yadav
Pakistan Squad:
– Babar Azam (c)
– Shadab Khan
– Fakhar Zaman
– Imam-ul-Haq
– Abdullah Shafique
– Mohammad Rizwan
– Saud Shakeel
– Iftikhar Ahmed
– Salman Ali Agha
– Mohammad Nawaz
– Usama Mir
– Haris Rauf
– Hasan Ali
– Shaheen Afridi
– Mohammad Wasim