Pakistan intends to start its campaign with a victory over India: says Babar Azam

Captain Babar Azam said Pakistan would like to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over arch-rivals India on October 24.

Azam further added that pressure will be more on Virat Kohli-led India when they meet in the T20 World Cup.

After a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman in waiting, Ramiz Raja, Babar said: “I think India will be under more pressure as compared to Pakistan during the World Cup match.

“We would like to start our campaign by defeating India.”

The arch-rivals are set to clash in Dubai in the group stage of the World T20 Cup as per the draws released by the International Cricket Council.

Both teams have not played any cricket against each other since the World Cup 2019 in England when India won comfortably.

India have had the upper hand over Pakistan in ICC events and remain undefeated in the 50-over World Cup.

“It is like playing at our home ground when we play at UAE venues and we want to give our 100 percent on the field coupled with that,” he added.

Babar also expressed satisfaction with the ODI squad announced for the series against New Zealand which has drawn a lot of flak from critics and former players.

Babar claimed that a balanced squad had been picked for the series.

The selectors dropped former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed from the squad while recalling batsmen, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah.

“We are facing issues in the middle-order and this series is a good opportunity for players making a comeback to cement their place in the side,” he said.