T20 World Cup 2021: Don't Think Past Performances Matter, It Is All About Absorbing The Pressure – Sohail Tanvir On India-Pakistan Battle

Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir believes that in India-Pakistan battles, past performances doesn’t matter, and it’s all about absorbing the pressure. India and Pakistan are placed in the Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, along with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia. The highly anticipated battle between arch-rivals India & Pakistan is all set to commence on 24 October at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Meanwhile, Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir, who played XI during the 2007 T20 World Cup, knows about the pressure of playing against India. The 36-year-old was asked whether team meetings are any different when Pakistan take on India.

To which he replied: “Not really, but there is always advice from the management to keep a check on nerves. Nothing much changes when it comes to team meetings or briefings.”

Sohail Tanvir added that everyone knows that the India-Pakistan match is a high-pressure game, so they are being told not to take a lot of pressure during the team meeting.

” But yes, somewhere at the back of your mind you know it’s a high-pressure game, so during the team discussion it is always mentioned ‘zayada pressure a lo’ (don’t take much pressure) and keep your nerves in check,” Tanvir shared from his experience in the Pakistan dressing room,” he stated.

I Don’t Think Pakistan Are Underdogs – Sohail Tanvir

“I don’t think Pakistan are underdogs. We have played enough cricket in the UAE and we are the ones who have played here the most. Players know the nature of pitches. I feel Pakistan is a strong contender to win the World Cup,” Sohail Tanvir maintained.

Tanvir further added that he feels that there will be “neck and neck competition” in the India vs Pakistan battle.

“In the context of India, people will say the lopsided win-loss ratio puts Pakistan on the back foot in the World Cup games, but I don’t think past performances matter much. I feel it will be a neck and neck competition. Indian players are fresh from playing the IPL, so they also know what to expect from the wicket. So it is all about absorbing the pressure,” he added.

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