COLOMBO: Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has shared insights into his mindset ahead of the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India clash at R. Premadasa Stadium this Sunday, part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Babar described the Pakistan-India rivalry as more than just cricket, highlighting the global attention and intense pressure surrounding these matches. “A Pakistan-India match is always high intensity. The whole world and the fans are involved, and expectations naturally rise,” he said, emphasizing the weight of the occasion.
At 31, Babar draws on years of experience in high-pressure encounters, stressing that maintaining composure is critical. According to him, controlling emotions can often determine success, especially for younger players facing the hype of this historic rivalry for the first time.
“We’ve learnt that the more we stay cool, relaxed, and don’t listen to what people say, the better it is. Youngsters often get excited, but if you remain tension-free and composed, it works in your favour,” Babar added, reflecting his calm and focused approach to high-stakes cricket.
Both teams enter the blockbuster match unbeaten in the tournament so far. Pakistan recorded victories against the Netherlands and the USA, while India overcame the USA and Namibia, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter between cricket’s arch-rivals.
Historically, India have held the upper hand in T20 internationals between the two sides, winning 13 of 16 encounters, with Pakistan claiming three wins. In the T20 World Cup, India lead 6-1, with one match ending as a no result.
As anticipation builds, Babar’s focus on composure, concentration, and experience could play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s bid to turn history in their favor. Fans worldwide are bracing for a match that promises emotion, skill, and drama from the very first ball.
Pakistan vs India Squads for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
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