"Cricket doesn't get bigger than this" - Gary Kirsten says players are motivated more than ever for IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2024 match
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten has revealed that the players don't need extra motivation for their big match against India on Sunday in New York. The former Team India coach underlined the need to start afresh and forget the events of June 6.
Pakistan's World Cup hopes have received a massive dent after being beaten by USA in Dallas. With the Men in Green set to face the mighty Indian side and holding an underwhelming record against them, they risk enduring a group-stage exit.
Speaking at a pre-game press conference, Kirsten underlined that the game is as big as it gets and believes moving forward from bad days is the only thing one can do.
"I certainly see it as a massive privilege to be part of these games. Cricket doesn't get bigger than this. It's going to be a great occasion. It's a big game, India-Pakistan. There's no need for me to motivate the team any more, they're well motivated, they're focused for this game. We've to forget about the last couple of days and just move forward. That's the only way you can deal with life."
Pakistan's performance in all departments came under fire after a shattering loss to the associate-playing nation. Skipper Babar Azam's slow-paced 43-ball 44 and the panic of experienced bowlers in crunch moments certainly cost them.
"We need to make sure we play the best cricket we can now" - Gary Kirsten
The 56-year-old brushed aside the importance of history between the two sides in the ICC events. Instead, Kirsten suggested the need to focus on the present:
"I don't like to harp on history too much. We need to make sure we play the best cricket we can now, so tomorrow we're going to go out there and make sure we do the best that we can with our skill sets, and how we can put pressure on the opposition. That's what we would want to do every game, that's certainly how we would plan for every game. So it's really up to us to get ourselves up for the game."
Pakistan have beaten India only once in seven T20 World Cup meetings thus far.