Cricket / If you ask me, we will win: Babar Azam on India-Pakistan clash in T20 World Cup 2021

Cricket Desk: With just 10 days left for the big match, the excitement around the cricket fraternity is building towards the India-Pakistan clash that will see the two teams open their T20 World Cup campaign. With the arch-rivals set for their first meeting in more than two years, fans from across the border are eagerly awaiting the game.

Virat Kohli's side will have the responsibility of upholding India's invincible record against Pakistan that extends to both the 50-over and T20 World Cup. On the other hand, the Men in Green have the opportunity to create history and beat India in the competition for the first time in history.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has come out and made a bold claim saying he feels his side will beat India and their experience of playing in the UAE in recent years will help them. In an interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, he said, "We've been playing cricket in UAE for the past 3-4 years and we know the conditions really well. We know how the wicket will behave and the adjustments batters will have to make. On the day who plays the better cricket, wins the match. If you ask me, we will win."

He added, "Your belief and confidence as a group matter a lot before a tournament. As a team, our confidence and morale are really high. We are not thinking of the past but the future. We are preparing for that. I am fully confident that we are well prepared and will play good cricket on the day."

The Pakistan captain also feels that the experienced players in the team will help the youngsters perform to their best ability. 

"All the players have entered the side after a good domestic performance. We have a lot to learn from the senior players in the side because they have so much experience, they have played the World Cup and leagues before. 7-8 players in our squad have also played the Champions Trophy before which brings out different confidence," said Babar. 

He also hailed PCB's decision to appoint Mattew Hayden and Vernon Philander as coaches saying, "Hayden and Philander bring a lot of experience. Our attempt will be to learn from them as much as we can and quickly. The boys have the ability to absorb quickly and mix with them.

"You can see Philander has already started working hard with the bowlers and you can see the past record, bowlers win you the tournament. Hasan Ali was our best bowler in the Champions Trophy. He will take the bowling line-up alongside him." 

The India Pakistan clash will take place on 24th October at the Dubai International Stadium. Both teams are in the same group as New Zealand and Afghanistan in the Super 12 stage with two more countries set to join them after the qualification round.