Pakistan captain Babar Azam said Tuesday that the Green Shirts are full of confidence as they prepare to travel to India for the ICC Men’s World Cup.
“Our team morale is very high, and we are confident.” We shall give it our all. “I would like to ask everyone to pray for the team,” the captain stated at a pre-departure press briefing in Lahore.
The squad comes to the 50-over competition following a fourth-place finish in the recently finished Asia Cup, which dropped their ICC ODI position to second, but the skipper believes the setback helped the team improve.
“We did not meet the standard, but we learned from it.” “We don’t just point out our mistakes; we also discuss how to improve those areas,” the skipper explained.
Babar stated that the team’s planning for the Asia Cup was unique and that another plan for the future event would be unique.
“The conditions are different than in the Asia Cup.” “We’ll keep an eye on the weather, and whatever is best for Pakistan, we’ll go into the game with that plan,” the elegant hitter explained.
‘I trust my players more than I trust myself’
The team has been under criticism due to its lacklustre performance in the Asia Cup, with several pundits agreeing that the Green Shirts were lacking in middle-over bowling.
“I spoke to Shadab Khan and we gave confidence to each other. I and Shadab know that we aren’t bowling well in the middle overs, but I trust my players more than I trust myself,” he said.
The captain noted that this was the same squad that made Pakistan the number 1 ODI team and that he was well aware of the players who fought for the team.
Due to Naseem Shah’s injury, the team has included Hasan Ali in the squad despite him not representing Pakistan in the 50-over format for more than a year.
In response to a question, the captain stated that Ali was chosen because of his experience. Babar stated that he has been playing with seven to nine other players since 2019 and that he prefers to keep those in the group whom he trusts.
“I make few changes; when we work together, we get good results.” “When a player is not performing well, he should be supported,” he said, saying that the team would miss Shah.
Playing for first time in India
The skipper, who will be playing in India for the first time in his years-long career, expressed excitement and stated he was unconcerned about the conditions in the adjacent country.
Only two players from Pakistan’s current roster had previously visited India for cricket: Mohammad Nawaz, who was a member of Pakistan’s 2016 T20 World Cup squad, and Agha Salman, who was a member of the Lahore Lions’ Champions League T20 squad.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in Ahmedabad.” “It is the world’s largest stadium, and it will be packed for the India-Pakistan match,” he remarked.
“I have spoken to former cricketers about the condition and they are not that different,” he stated.
“I will try to perform to the best of my ability. I can’t exactly tell you how I will do since I’m not an astrologer.”
“I’m not worried about my performance. I always try to perform in a manner that suits the team,” he added.
‘Rift’ with Shaheen?
The Pakistan captain also denied allegations of a “word war” with pacer Shaheen Afridi, adding the players “love each other like family.”
“Since when you became captain, the team has given you respect and everyone honors you a lot, even Iftikhar Ahmed considers you elder brother,” a reporter asked Babar.
He was then questioned about claims of team disagreements.
“There were reports regarding Shaheen Afridi after the Asia Cup debacle so the fans want to know how good your bonding is with Shaheen Afridi and how much he respects you?”
In response, Babar replied: “Everyone gives me respect…. and see when you lose close matches then certain [diagreements] do take place in team meetings but this was taken out of context that there was a duel between us.”
“There’s nothing else like it. We have the same regard for one another and will continue to do so. We adore each other as if we were family.”
