Home ›› 24 Oct 2021 ›› Sport
On the second day of the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup, India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in their first match of the tournament.
Ahead of the match, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that Pakistan were very strong, whereas Pakistan captain Babar Azam asked his teammates to forget the past.
Kohli says Pakistan ‘very strong’
Kohli on Saturday said they will take on a “very strong” Pakistan team and downplayed their unbeaten record against their opponents.
India have beaten Pakistan in all of their 12 matches at the T20 and 50-over World Cups.
“We never discussed these things, about our record and past performance,” Kohli told reporters on the eve of the much-anticipated clash in Dubai on Sunday.
“These things create distractions. What matters is how we prepare and execute on that particular day, regardless of the opposition.”
Kohli said regardless of their past dominance Pakistan is and always has been packed with talented players.
“Pakistan, according to me is a very strong team and always has been a strong side,” he said.
“You have to play your best cricket against them, because they have lots of talent and players who can change the game.”
Kohli backed his team’s match winners including Hardik Pandya to come good in the tournament despite the all-rounder struggling with his bowling.
“He is getting better in terms of getting prepared to bowl two overs for us,” said Kohli.
“What he brings at that number six spot is something that you cannot create overnight and hence I was always in favour of backing him in Australia as a batter purely.
“He can take the game away from the opposition when he is in full flow.”
Forget the past: Babar
Babar vowed his team will not think about Pakistan’s poor record against arch-rivals India when they meet in Dubai on Sunday.
Exuding confidence, Babar stressed that the past is irrelevant to his players.
“To be honest, what has passed is beyond us,” Babar told a virtual media conference on Saturday, as both nations buzzed in anticipation of a thrilling match.
“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.”
Babar admitted it will be a match full of intensity.
“The matches between Pakistan and India are always full of intensity so we need to perform well in all three departments of the game,” said Babar.
Babar announced 12 for the match with hard-hitters Haider Ali and Asif Ali competing to make the final eleven.
“The boys are excited to play the World Cup and we have a crucial match on Sunday,” said Babar, who will be leading Pakistan for the first time in a senior World Cup match.
“A winning impact is necessary and then we will go match by match.”
