The anticipation for the upcoming World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is palpable. Amid this fervor, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, maintains a quiet but unshakable confidence. Despite recent struggles with his form, Azam is unfazed by the potential consequences of losing the match. He firmly believes that his captaincy should not be determined by a single game and remains steadfastly focused on the future.
Azam’s Composed Response:
When asked about the impact of a loss to India on his captaincy, Babar Azam responded calmly, “My captaincy will not come from one match, I did not get it. (I didn’t get the captaincy because of one match and I will not lose it because of one match).” Azam’s composed tone reflects his unflappable personality and unwavering commitment to his role as the captain.
A Resolve to Rewrite History:
Azam is determined to rewrite Pakistan’s past records against India, which currently stands at a daunting 0-7 in ODI World Cups. He does not dwell on the history of the rivalry but instead focuses on the present and future. Azam expresses confidence in his team’s performance in the initial matches of the tournament and is optimistic about their prospects in upcoming games.
Pressure and Historical Records:
When questioned about the pressure of overturning Pakistan’s unfavorable record against India in ODI World Cups, Azam lightened the atmosphere by joking about the flood of ticket requests he received. He emphasized his ability to stay unruffled by past records and his steadfast focus on what lies ahead. Azam firmly believes that a limited number of matches between India and Pakistan is insufficient to assess his worth as a player.
Lack of Home Support:
It’s worth noting that Pakistan will face the “12th man” phenomenon with a crowd of 130,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in India. Due to visa issues, Pakistani fans won’t be able to attend, and Azam acknowledged that having their supporters in the stands would have been beneficial for the team.
Babar Azam’s serene and resolute demeanor reveals his state of mind as he approaches the high-stakes match against India. He remains impervious to the prospect of losing his captaincy and is resolute in his determination to rewrite Pakistan’s historical records. Azam’s unwavering focus on the future and his belief in his team’s abilities augur well for Pakistan’s prospects in the World Cup.
