Former Pakistan captain and outstanding batsman Babar Azam has shared his thoughts ahead of the much-awaited blockbuster clash with India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set for Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfoBabar spoke of the unparalleled intensity and worldwide attention that a clash between Pakistan and India invariably commands.
He emphasized the pressure these matches bring – not just from fans, but from the responsibility of representing the nation on a massive stage.
“Like you said, a match between Pakistan and India is always high intensity. The whole world and the fans are involved. Even with so many people watching it, it’s playing at different levels and expectations naturally rise,” Babar said.
Drawing on his own experience, the 31-year-old emphasized the importance of staying calm and managing expectations.
Babar highlighted how staying calm and not getting distracted by outside opinions can make a crucial difference, especially for younger players navigating the hype of high-profile encounters.
“I’ve been a part of many matches and we’ve learned that the more we stay cool, relaxed and don’t listen to what people say, the better. Young people often get excited and talk about it, but if you keep it light and stress-free, it always works in your favour,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that both teams remain unbeaten in the group stage so far. Pakistan have registered wins over Netherlands and USA while India have defeated USA and Namibia.
Historically, India and Pakistan have met 16 times in T20 Internationals, with India winning 13 and Pakistan three.
In T20 World Cup encounters, the two teams have clashed eight times, with India leading 6-1 and one match ending in a draw.
