Pakistan Eyes India Clash in T20 World Cup Opener

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on Friday against USA, but the match that has captured the attention of players and fans alike is the highly anticipated clash against archrivals India on June 9.

"The whole world waits for this," declared Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in an interview with Star Sports. Pakistan has a less-than-stellar record against India in T20 World Cup history, having lost six of the seven matches they have played. However, Azam believes that the outcome will ultimately depend on which team can control their nerves better on the day.

"It's a different kind of pressure, to control the nerves," Azam said. "You learn that from experience, the more you play...especially in Pakistan-India matches. That's a different vibe."

India, meanwhile, made a strong start to their campaign, crushing Ireland by eight wickets in their opening group match. The two teams are joined in Group A by Ireland, USA, and Canada, with the top two teams advancing to the 'Super 8s'.

Azam acknowledged the significance of the match against India, saying, "It's a big match and we always enjoy it." He also expressed his admiration for the Indian team, saying, "They are a very good team and we respect them a lot."

The Pakistan skipper emphasized the importance of staying focused and executing their plans on the field. "We have to play our best cricket and not worry about the pressure," he said. "We have a good team and we believe in ourselves."

The Pakistan-India match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their superiority. The outcome could have a significant impact on the tournament standings and the path to the final.

Tags: #T20WorldCup, #Pakistan, #India, #BabarAzam, #Cricket