ODI World Cup 2023: Babar Azam shares his take on the marquee clash with arch-rivals India

Last month, the ICC announced the fixtures for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is set to take place in India from October 5 to November 19. One of the most highly anticipated matches of the tournament is the clash between India and Pakistan, a rivalry that garners immense attention from cricket fans around worldwide. The high-octane clash is scheduled to take place on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has expressed his team’s approach to the World Cup, stating that they are looking at the tournament as a whole and not just focusing on the high-profile clash against India. Speaking to the media in Karachi, where most of Pakistan players are attending a camp before flying to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, the Lahore-born said all the hype around the most-talked-about match at the marquee event wouldn’t distract his team from achieving the bigger goal – which is to win the tournament for the first time since 1992.

“We are going to play World Cup and not just going to play against India only. There are eight other teams, and it’s not only India, and only if we beat them then we will make it into the final. We are not focused on only one team, we are focused on all other teams in the tournament. Our plan is that we have to play well against all of them and win against them,” the Pakistani skipper said in a press-conference.

The number one ranked ODI batter further said that as professionals, their job is to be ready for whatever may come and try to win games for their country.

“In our thought, wherever the cricket will be played, wherever the matches are, we are going to play there. Because as professionals that is what we do, you have to be ready for everything. You prepare yourself for different conditions and in every environment, and that is what we call a challenge, and you take it to live up to it. Me, as a player and captain, I aspire to score runs in every country, dominate and win Pakistan games,” the Pakistani Stalwart said further said. 

The 28-year-old also felt that the Test series in Sri Lanka would help Pakistan in their preparations for the 50-over Asia Cup and World Cup.

“The formats are different but playing in conditions like Sri Lanka will help us prepare well,” Babar concluded.

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July 08, 2023 at 10:57PM