"We can see with our eyes how much they feel the pressure" - Naseem Shah ahead of India vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah believes Team India also face the same amount of pressure as the Men in Green in Indo-Pak matches. The arch-rivals are set to lock horns in the T20 World Cup Group A clash in New York on Sunday, June 9.
India have a pretty dominant head-to-head record against Pakistan, with the latter winning just one out of their seven T20 World Cup meetings. However, Naseem claimed that he has seen Indian players under pressure against Pakistan and that it is all about who handles pressure better on the day.
"It's not as if there's pressure only on Pakistan and not on India, because we can see with our eyes how much they feel the pressure as well. How you perform on the day matters because both teams have some of the world's best players. The people in both countries are very involved, and I feel it's the only match where there isn't a single ball where you can relax," Naseem Shah recently told ESPNcricinfo.
India had scripted a thrilling win over Pakistan the last time the two teams met in the T20 World Cup a couple of years ago. Virat Kohli's magical 82* helped the Men in Blue snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a last-ball thriller.
There's not a big difference in the quality of Indian and Pakistan players: Naseem Shah
Naseem Shah also claimed that players from India and Pakistan didn't have too much difference in quality. While the players try to treat it like just another game, Naseem confessed that it is not possible given the following and the rivalry of the two teams.
"I personally don't believe there's a big difference in quality in the players of both countries," Naseem says. "But if anyone claims there's no extra pressure in an India-Pakistan match, go and ask the people of India and Pakistan! There's huge pressure on the fans in both countries, and on the players too. You're not human if you don't feel pressure in such a big match," he added.
Pakistan are coming into the high-octane encounter against India on the back of a defeat to the USA via the Super Over.
The conditions in New York, however, have suited the pacers and Pakistan will hope Naseem and others have a great chance to make dents in the Indian batting.