"Records are made to be broken" - Babar Azam optimistic of breaking losing streak against India in ODI World Cups
Pakistan captain Babar Azam remains unfazed by India's perfect record over them in 50-over World Cups ahead of their meeting in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14. Instead, the 28-year-old sees it as an opportunity to break the streak and backed his players to step up in front of what is likely to be a record crowd.
India have won all seven matches against Pakistan in 50-over World Cups, dating back to the 1992 edition. The Men in Green, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, came nowhere close to beating their arch-rivals four years ago and lost the rain-hit clash by 89 runs. With home advantage, the Men in Blue will once again start as firm favorites.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Babar said they have left behind the past and are optimistic about performing well in Ahmedabad.
"I don't want to focus on what has happened in the past. I want to keep my focus on what's to come. Records are made to be broken. We will try and break this too. We are hoping to come up with a good performance tomorrow. India vs Pakistan depends a lot on who does well on the big day. I have belief that my boys will be able to step up on the day," he said.
The No.1 ranked ODI batter added that it will be a high-intensity game, but Pakistan believe in themselves to get the job done.
"India vs Pakistan is a big game, it's a high-intensity game. But it's the best opportunity to give our best. We will continue to do what we have been doing well. We will certainly believe. Ahmedabad is a big stadium, a lot of fans will come. For us, it's a golden opportunity to perform well," he added.
It was also under Babar that Pakistan sealed their first win over India in World Cups overall when they beat the Men in Blue in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Hence, he will hope to do the same against Rohit Sharma's men in Ahmedabad.
"Don't think that my captaincy will be gone because of this match" - Babar Azam
When asked whether his captaincy would be in jeopardy based on the result in Ahmedabad, Babar quashed the idea. He elaborated:
"I don't think about all these things. I don't think my captaincy will be gone because of this match... Because of one match, I didn't get the captaincy, because of one match, I won't lose my captaincy. I believe in that. We have confidence from the way we played in T20s, from the way we played in 2019. We would want to keep it simple. We want to see it as the best opportunity to execute our plans. And the main thing is about enjoying the occasion."
Pakistan have won both their matches so far in World Cup 2023 and a victory against India should make them a serious contender for the trophy.