In a resolute declaration, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, asserted that “records are destined to be surpassed,” as his team strives to break free from India’s historical stranglehold in the World Cup showdown set for Saturday.
India maintains an unblemished 7-0 record against their neighboring rivals in World Cup encounters, despite Pakistan enjoying a substantial overall head-to-head advantage of 73-56 since their inaugural one-day international clash in 1978.
“I don’t dwell on the past,” Azam affirmed on Friday. “Let us concentrate on what lies ahead, understanding that records are made to be eclipsed.”
He went on to say, “Our performance hinges on how we play on the day, just as we demonstrated in our victories over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in the initial two matches of the World Cup.”
Azam imparted to his squad that the forthcoming clash at the colossal Ahmedabad stadium presents a “golden opportunity” to etch their names into World Cup history.
“The India-Pakistan match is a colossal fixture, characterized by high intensity. Every such contest is a formidable challenge,” Azam added, reflecting on his experience from the 2019 World Cup clash in Manchester, which India clinched with an 89-run triumph.
“I have conveyed to the players that this is the prime occasion for us to deliver an exceptional performance. The stadium, accommodating a vast multitude of fans, offers a golden opportunity to showcase our skills in front of this fervent audience.”
Under Azam’s leadership, Pakistan broke a protracted sequence of five Twenty20 World Cup defeats against India (spanning from 2007 to 2016) with an emphatic 10-wicket victory in Dubai in 2021.
“Did we not shatter the Twenty20 record? I am unconcerned about the past,” Azam shrugged off the weight of history.
Furthermore, Azam downplayed the prospect of virtually all of the 132,000 spectators passionately backing India, given the absence of Pakistan fans due to visa constraints.
“It’s not an imposition of pressure,” Azam maintained. “We have competed in grand venues like the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).”
He added, “Certainly, the majority of the support in Ahmedabad will favor India. It would have been more favorable if Pakistani fans could attend. However, I anticipate that supporters will also rally behind us.”
Visa complications for Pakistan fans worldwide have arisen due to the strained relations between the two nations, who have refrained from engaging in a bilateral cricket series since 2007. Although Pakistan did embark on limited-over tours to India in 2012, full-fledged tours remained suspended in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Acknowledging the distinct playing conditions in Ahmedabad, Azam conceded, “Yes, the conditions here are dissimilar to those in Hyderabad, where we played two warm-up matches and our initial two World Cup fixtures.”
He concluded, “We will adapt to the conditions as needed.”
Azam acknowledged Pakistan’s reliance on pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has yet to hit peak form in the tournament, having secured only two wickets from two matches at an expenditure of 113 runs.
“He is our premier bowler. Shaheen himself maintains the belief that he is a bowler who thrives in high-stakes encounters,” emphasized the captain.
