• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Beating India In Wc Meant A Lot Babar Azam On His Favourite Memory As Pakistan Captain

"Beating India in WC meant a lot": Babar Azam on his favourite memory as Pakistan captain

Abhinav Tyagi

Kevin Pietersen and Babar Azam - (Source: Kevin Pietersen/X.com)Kevin Pietersen and Babar Azam - (Source: Kevin Pietersen/X.com)

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam recently collaborated with England legend Kevin Pietersen and appeared on the latter's YouTube channel. It was a treat for Babar fans as the right-handed batter shared several insights from the dressing room and also opened up on leading Pakistan. 

Babar Azam recalls 2021 T20 World Cup

In the interview, Babar opened up on his favourite memory as Pakistan captain and remarked that the 2021 T20i World Cup win over Virat Kohli's India was his moment. Notably, prior to that match, India had never lost to Pakistan in any World Cup match, irrespective of the format. 

However, on that night, it was an embarrassing game for the Men in Blue as the Babar Azam-led side registered a 10-wicket win to stun Kohli and his men. Babar stitched an unbeaten 152-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan and became the first Pakistan captain to beat India in a World Cup.

“Beating India means a lot to me. 2022 (2021), when we beat India in T20I. For me, it was one of the best (memories). First time, as a Pakistan captain, I defeated India in the World Cup,” Babar told Kevin Pietersen on the English great’s YouTube show The Switch.

Pietersen weighs in on India-Pakistan rivalry

It is worth noting that ever since that game, Pakistan has again struggled to win against India in a World Cup match, and the 2021 T20 World Cup win is the only win for Pakistan vs India.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pietersen too quickly jumped onto the bandwagon to opine his views on the India-Pakistan rivalry and remarked that it is a bigger game than the Ashes.

“I have always said, it’s the biggest sporting event in the world. There is nothing bigger. They talk about the football World Cup final. I wish I could have played in the game. I played the Ashes. I was lucky. I wish I had been part of an India vs Pakistan game,” Pietersen said.

At present, Babar Azam is back in the scheme of things across all formats but is no longer a captaincy option.