Babar Azam’s Pre-Departure Conference: ICC World Cup 2023
Babar Azam claims Pakistan would travel to India for the ICC World Cup in 2023 with “high morale”
Prior to traveling to India for the ICC Men’s World Cup, Pakistan captain Babar Azam stated on Tuesday that the Green Shirts were full of confidence and had their sights set on the prized trophy.
“As a squad, we have a tremendous sense of confidence. We’ll do our best to play. During a news conference in Lahore prior to departure, the captain pleaded with everyone present to pray for the team.
The squad entered the 50-over competition despite their failure in the recently finished Asia Cup when they finished fourth and saw their ICC ODI rating drop to second. However, the captain thinks the mishap helped the team grow.
“We fell short of expectations, but we learned from it. We discuss how to develop those sides as well as pointing out our mistakes, the captain said.
Babar claimed that the team had distinct plans for the Asia Cup and would have different plans for the future event.
“The circumstances differ from those of the Asia Cup. The stylish batter stated, “We will keep an eye on the weather, and whatever is best for Pakistan, we will enter the match with that planning.
“I have more faith in my team than I do in myself”
The team has received criticism for its underwhelming performance in the Asia Cup, and many commentators have agreed that the Green Shirts’ middle-over bowling was deficient.
“I spoke with Shahab Khan, and we established trust. “I trust my players more than I trust myself, even though Shahab and I are aware that we aren’t bowling well in the middle overs,” he remarked.
The captain said he was well aware of the players that fought for the team and that this was the same crew that helped Pakistan become the top ODI side.
Hasan Ali didn’t represent Pakistan in the competition, but the team decided to keep him in the squad because Naseem Shah was injured.
In response to a query, the captain stated that Ali was chosen because of his background. Since 2019, Babar and seven to nine other players have been playing together, with Babar adding that he prefers to stick with the team he trusts.
“I don’t alter much; when we work together, we have terrific outcomes. He added that Shah would be missed by the team and that a player should be supported when he is not performing well.
Playing in India for the first time
The skipper, who will play in India for the first time in his illustrious career, expressed excitement and claimed he was unconcerned about the country’s surroundings.
Only two members of Pakistan’s current team had previously visited India for a cricket match: Mohammad Nawaz, who was a member of the team that represented Pakistan at the 2016 T20 World Cup, and Agha Salman, who was a member of the Lahore Lions team that competed in the Champions League T20.
“I can’t wait to perform in Ahmedabad. The India-Pakistan match will be played at the largest stadium in the world, he predicted.
“I have spoken to former cricketers about the condition, and they are not that different,” he claimed.
“I’ll make an effort to give my finest effort. I am not an astrologer, thus I cannot really predict how I will perform.
“I don’t worry about how I perform. I always try to play to the strengths of the team,” he continued.
The Pakistani captain denied any “war of words” between himself and pacer Shaheen Afridi, claiming the team “loves each other like a family.”
A journalist questioned Babar, saying, “Since you became captain, the team has given you respect and everyone honors you greatly; even Iftikhar Ahmed considers you elder brother.”
Then, he was questioned about rumors of factions inside the team.
The fans want to know how well you get along with Shahen Afridi and how much he respects you because of reports about him following the Asia Cup disaster.
Everyone respects me, and when you lose close games, such [disagreements] do occur in team meetings, but this was taken out of context to imply that we engaged in a duel, Babar retorted.
“This is unlike anything else. We respect each other equally and will continue to do so. We are a family that loves one another.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
