NEW DELHI: Pakistan, the 2009 champions, finished runners-up in the last T20 World Cup in Australia, losing by five wickets to England in the final.
Pakistan’s preparations for the tournament have not been the best, having lost 0-2 in the four-match T20I series against England, but Babar Azam’s unpredictable side are not to be underestimated as they have the potential to beat any team if they are in good form.
Ahead of the opening match between Pakistan and USA in Dallas on Thursday, the official broadcaster shared a video of captain Babar Azam, pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, keeper-batsman Mohammed Rizwan, pacer Naseem Shah and keeper-batsman Azam Khan sharing their views and excitement about competing in the T20 World Cup and their determination to right the mistakes they made last time.
“Preparation is going well. Whenever we play in a big tournament, there is a different level of excitement. This is new and different conditions and we have never played here before,” Babar Azam said.
Shaheen Shah Afridi added: “This is the first time the World Cup is being held in the US. It’s a new experience for us. Some of my teammates have played here before but this is the first time we are there as a group. We are hopeful and excited that cricket is coming to the US. Club cricket is played well here but this is international cricket and on top of that it’s the World Cup so we’re all excited.”
“We all know that qualifying for the World Cup is a proud moment for everyone. We were runners-up last time and that still remains in our minds and the players who were there last time still remember where we lost in the final last time,” Mohammed Rizwan said.
Naseem Shah pointed out, “We are definitely excited. New country, new situation. We played the World Cup final in 2022 but we made some mistakes then. Playing well is important but the excitement of holding the trophy in your hands is something else.”
Azam Khan concluded, “This is my first World Cup and I am very happy to be playing in America. I never thought in my life that a Cricket World Cup would be held in America. But this country is very big and it is known as the land of opportunities. So, I think it is an opportunity for any player from any country to make a name for themselves here.”
Pakistan will play a huge clash against arch rivals India in New York on Sunday.
Pakistan’s preparations for the tournament have not been the best, having lost 0-2 in the four-match T20I series against England, but Babar Azam’s unpredictable side are not to be underestimated as they have the potential to beat any team if they are in good form.
Ahead of the opening match between Pakistan and USA in Dallas on Thursday, the official broadcaster shared a video of captain Babar Azam, pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, keeper-batsman Mohammed Rizwan, pacer Naseem Shah and keeper-batsman Azam Khan sharing their views and excitement about competing in the T20 World Cup and their determination to right the mistakes they made last time.
“Preparation is going well. Whenever we play in a big tournament, there is a different level of excitement. This is new and different conditions and we have never played here before,” Babar Azam said.
Shaheen Shah Afridi added: “This is the first time the World Cup is being held in the US. It’s a new experience for us. Some of my teammates have played here before but this is the first time we are there as a group. We are hopeful and excited that cricket is coming to the US. Club cricket is played well here but this is international cricket and on top of that it’s the World Cup so we’re all excited.”
“We all know that qualifying for the World Cup is a proud moment for everyone. We were runners-up last time and that still remains in our minds and the players who were there last time still remember where we lost in the final last time,” Mohammed Rizwan said.
Naseem Shah pointed out, “We are definitely excited. New country, new situation. We played the World Cup final in 2022 but we made some mistakes then. Playing well is important but the excitement of holding the trophy in your hands is something else.”
Azam Khan concluded, “This is my first World Cup and I am very happy to be playing in America. I never thought in my life that a Cricket World Cup would be held in America. But this country is very big and it is known as the land of opportunities. So, I think it is an opportunity for any player from any country to make a name for themselves here.”
Pakistan will play a huge clash against arch rivals India in New York on Sunday.
