We Have More Passion Than Indian Players: Pakistan U-19 World Cup Coach

The sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan have never been in doubt. Be it junior or senior cricketers, when these two teams lock horns against each other, it is an absolute visual treat for the fans. As far as senior men are concerned, they haven’t played a bilateral series against each other since 2012 because of the political tensions between the two nations.

Also, both nations have not played a Test match against each other since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. However, they are meeting only in ICC events. Case in point, former Pakistan batsman and current U-19 head coach Ejaz Ahmed reckons that his side can get the better of defending champions and arch-rivals India in the upcoming ICC Youth World Cup starting in South Africa on January 17.

We have more passion than Indian players: Ejaz Ahmed

Ejaz is well aware of the fact that India has an effective cricket system but at the same time, he added that Pakistan cricketers have more passion than Indian cricketers when they play against each other. The 51-year-old Ejaz Ahmed highlighted that Pakistan was able to beat India in the semi-finals of the recently-concluded Asian Emerging Nations Cup.

“India has a very good cricket system and it is organized but I know that we have more passion than them when we play against each other and that is how we also beat them in the semi-finals of the recent Asian Emerging Nations Cup,” Ejaz was quoted as saying by PTI.

For the unversed, Ejaz has played 60 Tests and 250 ODIs for Pakistan in his playing career. After calling it quits from playing cricket, he took up coaching duties. He was also the head coach of the Pakistan youth side which beat India before finally winning the title in Bangladesh last year. “Even in the past, we beat India because of our greater passion and this time also I know the passion of our players will prevail over them although they have a very strong outfit,” he added in a statement.

Pakistan youth team have always been a nation that has produced good results in the ICC events. They have won the U-19 World Cup twice in the past. Ejaz, however, conceded that at the end of the day, it is all down to how the team approaches the game. “It is the same in the World Cup it does not matter which team is number one or defending champions what will matter is how a team plays on a given day. I personally feel our team is well balanced,” he said.

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