'There Is Hope' - Gautam Gambhir Backs Pakistan To Qualify For Semis

Kashish Chadha

image-lotnbjb4Babar Azam continues to believe for Pakistan (AP Photo)

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Even as naysayers made fun of the Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam, for keeping a resilient and optimistic outlook despite standing on the brink of ICC World Cup 2023 exit, former India opener Gautam Gambhir hailed Babar for maintaining hopes before entering the final league stage encounter in Kolkata against England on Saturday (November 11). 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Babar showed no signs of giving up and was willing to fight for the mathematical chance Pakistan still have in their quest to elevate the NRR above New Zealand and bag the fourth semifinal spot in the marquee competition. 

With New Zealand dominating Sri Lanka in Bangalore on Thursday (November 9), a sense of doom and gloom has set in Pakistan cricket fraternity as the national side is required to defeat the Englishmen at the Eden Gardens by a margin of 287 runs or successfully chase down a total within 16 deliveries to pip over the BlackCaps. 


Gambhir Praises Babar Azam's Attitude 

Despite all realistic hopes gone, however, Babar wore a smile on his face while speaking to the press and focused on the idea of Pakistan blasting a mammoth 400-plus total after batting first and then bundling England out the earliest. 

"It is an uphill task for sure but what do you expect from a leader? What should he say in the press conference? Should he say that they have conceded defeat and that they want to go back?" Gambhir said during a discussion for Star Sports, hailing Babar's attitude.


"He is his country's leader and has every right to show his confidence in the press conference. Even if it is 1%, there is hope at least. They are still not out and anything can happen in cricket. So I believe it was an exceptional press conference," he added. 

Babar had denounced the suggestion to give up by insisting Pakistan still firmly believed they were in with a chance. The skipper had shown admirable courage to talk about the possibility of Pakistan smashing the English bowling attack for a bumper score.