Pakistan captain Babar Azam has shared his thoughts on the India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket as the arch-rivals prepare to meet in the Asia Cup on September 2. According to Babar, the whole world watches India-Pakistan games and enjoys the competitions. He said that the level of cricket in Indo-Pak rivalry is very good and competitive
Due to political differences, India and Pakistan meet only in multi-national events like the Asia Cup and the World Cup. The two sides last met in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where the Men in Blue secured a last-ball victory in a thrilling match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). There is a lot of excitement as both the teams gear up to face each other in the Asia Cup 2023 at Pallekele on September 2.
Sharing his views on the famous India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, Babar said in a video on Star Sports:
“The India-Pakistan match has always been a rivalry. The entire world experiences the match and enjoys it. Even we enjoy it a lot. I feel that the level of cricket is very good and competitive. Fans miss the India-Pakistan match and both teams always give their 100 percent. We always try and give our very best.”
.@babarazam258 has had his opinion on the #INDvPAK rivalry!
Put your #HandsUpForIndia this #AsiaCup2023#Cricket pic.twitter.com/xPFBlhqLJN
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 26, 2023
Babar recently led Pakistan to a 3-0 whitewash of Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. The series ended on Saturday, 26 August, when Pakistan defeated Colombo’s R.K. Defeated Afghanistan by 59 runs in the 3rd ODI at the Premadasa Stadium. With this win, Pakistan also became the No. 1 team in the ICC ODI rankings. Individually, Babar’s series has been impressive. He started with zero in the first match but followed it up with 53 out of 66 in the second ODI and 60 out of 86 in the third ODI.
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Babar Azam Believes Victory Over Afghanistan Will Help Pakistan In Asia Cup
Reflecting on Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI series win over Afghanistan, Babar Azam said the performance should give the team confidence going into the Asia Cup. He said at the post-match ceremony:
“We are number one in ODIs. All credit to the boys, they are working hard. We had a small camp in Lahore. All credit to the boys and the management. One of the best spin sides – Afghanistan. That should help us in Asia Cup.”
Before taking on India, Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a match against Nepal on August 30 in Multan