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'There Are Other Teams...': Babar Azam Urges Pakistan to Look Beyond IND vs PAK Clash in the 2023 World Cup

image-ljs2nabhPakistan captain Babar Azam | Source: Twitter 

The days of regular bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India are a thing of the past. Nowadays, their clashes are primarily reserved for ICC tournaments, and these highly anticipated encounters between the arch rivals are always monumental. 

This time, Babar Azam-led Pakistan will be travelling to India for the 2023 World Cup. Their tournament campaign will kick off with a match against Netherlands on October 6, at the renowned Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is set to take place on Sunday, October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Ahead of the marquee event, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, has shed light on the big challenge in India, stating that their objective is not solely focused on defeating the Men in Blue, but also on overcoming other teams.

Here’s what Babar Azam said:

“I've been hearing a lot. We are going to play the World Cup, not to play against India. Barring India, there are other different teams whom we have to play against. If we can beat them, we will play the final. Our focus is not on one team but all 10 of them. Our plan is to play well against all teams, win matches and then secure a ticket of the final.” 

The Pakistan captain also said that the ongoing discussion and chaos in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not affect the national team's performance in the World Cup as their focus is on playing good cricket only. 

"We don't focus on what is happening in the PCB. We just focus on cricket. We have the entire schedule of our coming matches before us and we know what needs to be done to win matches as professionals.” 

When asked about the level of pressure the players felt knowing they would be traveling to India for the World Cup, Babar conceded that as a team, they are mentally prepared to play at any given venue in any given conditions.

“Our thought is simple. Wherever there is cricket, there are matches, so we have to go and play. As a professional, you have to be ready for everything – play in different conditions and environment. This is what we call a challenge.” 

The head-to-head record between India and Pakistan in ODI World Cups heavily favour India with Men in Blue beating their neighbours on all the seven occasions. Although Pakistan managed to secure a convincing 10-wicket victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the longer 50-over format presents a different challenge altogether.