NEW YORK: Coming off a humiliating defeat to co-hosts USA, Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten said Babar Azam’s team does not need any extra motivation when they take on arch rivals India in the T20 World Cup here on Sunday.
Pakistan, the defending finalists, began their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a disastrous defeat to the USA in the Super Over and will take on India on a pitch that remains difficult to bat on at the Nassau County Stadium here.
“It’s an important match between India and Pakistan. I don’t need to motivate the team anymore. The players are highly motivated and focused on the match,” Kirsten told media on the eve of the match.
“We have to forget about the last few days and just move on. That’s the only way to deal with life. Results are results and the results will take care of themselves,” the Pakistan limited-overs coach added.
India have been based in New York and have played two matches there, including a warm-up against Bangladesh, but this will be Pakistan’s first time playing there in the tournament.
Kirsten didn’t think that it would be to India’s advantage. “We were going to go in there maximising our skills and thinking about how we can put pressure on the other team,” he said.
“You can’t predict what’s going to happen so you don’t really know. You don’t know if it’s going to be an advantage or not,” he added.
Kirsten, who was India coach when the nation faced off in the 2011 World Cup semi-final clash in Mohali, said Sunday’s match felt different.
“I think it’s a little bit different because it’s not India or Pakistan,” he said.
However, the South African does not believe he can provide any more information than that having coached the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and having watched the Indian players from close range.
“The guys have seen plenty of each other’s play and at the end of the day we want to make sure we make the right plays while taking into account the situation and what the situation calls for, because I think that’s going to be the big play,” he said.
Kirsten said teamwork is needed for Pakistan to challenge India.
“It’s never good for any player not to win games. The players are doing their best. What’s important for us is that we are functioning purely as a team,” he said.
“Yes, individual performances are necessary, but to play a game like this you need true teamwork. This is an important game.”
“What happened two days ago is forgotten. It can’t be brought back. It’s gone and we just have to move on,” he added.
Kirsten acknowledged that pace bowling is Pakistan’s strength but said she wanted to be in top form for the match on a pitch where scoring remains an issue.
“That’s certainly our strength. We want to look at balance in the team. It’s important to cover all the bases. We want to make sure we have spin options, good seam options and depth in the batting line-up,” he said.
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