T20 World Cup 2021: UAE Is Like Our Second Home; This Is An Added Advantage For Us Over India - Babar Azam

Babar Azam, who is set to lead Pakistan for the first time in an ICC tournament in the T20 World Cup later this year, feels that the experience of his players in the UAE is an advantage of his side over India and other teams. All the Pakistan national team’s cricketers have spent a lot of time playing in the UAE, be it in international matches or in the PSL.

The two neighbours will clash on October 24 in Dubai for the first game of Group 2 in the Super 12 stage. India and Pakistan last met at the 2019 World Cup, where Virat Kohli’s side registered a victory. It is to no forget: India have never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match, be it 50-over or 20-over World Cup. Babar Azam will want to change that history.

“The side that will execute their plans better and cash in on most of the opportunities will come out the winner. I know my team is oozing with confidence and looking forward to the 24 October match. The seven T20Is against New Zealand and England will be crucial for us as we will like to win most of them so that we can carry that winning confidence and momentum to Dubai,” Babar Azam said during a press meet.

“UAE is like our second home and we have won many T20 matches there and also became number one world side. So, yes, this is an added advantage and will give further motivation and confidence to our players.”

A winning start against India will be a big boost for us: Babar Azam

Babar Azam, the second-ranked ICC T20I batsman, reckoned that a win over a strong opponent, such as India, at the start of the tournament will spur the team on for the rest of the event.

“Look the main objective is to win the World T20 Cup and obviously if we can make a winning start against a team like India then it will be a big boost for us in the rest of the tournament.”

Pakistan play host to New Zealand for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is and to England for 2 T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“Our preparations have been very good for the mega event and the seven matches we play against New Zealand and England will be a big help before the mega-event,” the young skipper added.

The two arch-rivals are clubbed together with New Zealand and Afghanistan in Group 2; England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia are together in Group 1. Four other teams will also join the two groups after qualifying from ‘Round 1′.

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