Pakistan’s cricket team captain, Babar Azam, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup against arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad on October 14. “I’m thrilled about playing in Ahmedabad, which boasts the world’s largest stadium. The atmosphere will be electrifying, especially for the India-Pakistan match,” he remarked.
The team is soon scheduled to leave for India, with a brief layover in Dubai. Before the main event, the Pakistani squad will play warm-up games against New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3, both in Hyderabad.
Their World Cup journey officially begins in Hyderabad, facing off against The Netherlands on October 6, followed by Sri Lanka on October 10. The much-anticipated game against India in Ahmedabad comes next on October 14. The team’s league stage concludes with a match against England in Kolkata on November 12.
Babar Azam Discusses Team Morale and Performance
During a recent press conference in Lahore, Babar Azam asserted that the team’s spirits were high, requesting the nation’s support and prayers. When asked about Pakistan’s subpar performance in two Asia Cup matches, he admitted their shortcomings but emphasized that lessons have been learned.
The captain is optimistic about the World Cup, stating, “We’ll assess the conditions and choose the best combination for the team. I’m confident in my performance and always aim to contribute in a way that benefits the team.” Despite the team not having played in India before, Babar assured them they weren’t under undue stress. He emphasized their collective goal is to triumph in all nine matches and clinch the trophy.
He commented on the team’s spinners, “Every player is exceptional. Making a place in the Pakistan team is challenging and is purely based on performance. I believe our players will shine in the World Cup.”