Babar Azam Prepares Pakistan for Pressure-Cooker India Clash

Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, has acknowledged the immense pressure and hype surrounding the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against India on Sunday. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and adhering to the basics amidst the heightened expectations.

India holds a dominant record in T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, having won six out of seven matches. However, Pakistan emerged victorious in the 2021 edition, defeating India by 10 wickets in the 'Super 12' stage.

Babar acknowledged the unique atmosphere surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture, stating, "There is a different vibe altogether for this fixture, and there's a lot of excitement too not just among players but also among the fans." He advised his team to manage the pressure by focusing on the fundamentals.

Reflecting on the 2022 edition, Babar expressed regret over missed opportunities, particularly the defeat against Zimbabwe. He stressed the need for consistent performance against all opponents, regardless of the outcome.

"Effort is in our hands, but results, we do not know," Babar said. "How we present ourselves on the ground, our body language and how we communicate with each other will matter. We must be positive, so results will come."

Pakistan has been a formidable force in the T20 World Cup, reaching six semi-finals in eight editions. They were runners-up in 2007 and 2022, losing to England in the final of the most recent tournament.

Babar highlighted the team's collective aspiration to win an ICC tournament. "Lifting the ICC trophy is a different motivation," he said. "You go to a different level and get a lot of praise. So, the motivation, aspiration and dream remains to lift an ICC trophy and present it to Pakistan."

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