Lahore: Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam is upbeat ahead of the T20 World Cup as Green Shirts prepare to leave for UAE on October 15.
The 26-year-old talked to reporters in a virtual presser on a rest day and opined that his side is not bothered with the past results of Indo-Pak T20 World Cup matches.
“Belief matters the most while going into the tournament like World Cup, our confidence and morale is high as a team. We are not thinking what happened in the past and preparing for the new challenge which lies ahead,” he said.
“Focus is to gain momentum by beating India in the first game and take it forward,” he added.
Babar believes that senior players will add value to the team because of their experience. “Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik are match-winners and their experience will help us on the field, they have played many leagues,” he added.
Babar hailed the appointment of Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as consultant coaches for the mega event. “They are experienced and will try to benefit from them. Philander has been great with bowlers in the camp, it will be good if we understand each other quickly,” he added.
Pakistan, during the last decade, mostly played in UAE. Babar thinks it will give an advantage but on the day, which side plays better cricket will win.
It must be noted that the squad will play a practice tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium and will leave for UAE on October 15 at 11.00 am.
They will play the first warm-up match on October 18 in Dubai against the West Indies. The second will take place on October 20 in Abu Dhabi against South Africa.
Pakistan will officially start the T20 World Cup campaign match against arch-rivals India in Dubai on October 24.