The build-up to the tournament wasn’t exactly smooth as Pakistan lost a four-match T20I series against England 0-2, but the unpredictable side led by Babar Azam cannot be underestimated as they can beat any team on their day.
Ahead of Pakistan’s opening match against the US in Dallas on Thursday, the official broadcaster shared a video of skipper Babar Azam, pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, pacer Naseem Shah and keeper-batter Azam Khan expressing their views and excitement of playing the T20 World Cup and also their determination to rectify the mistakes they made last time.
Babar Azam says, “Our preparation is good. There is always excitement at a different level when you play in a big event, These are new and different conditions and we haven’t played here before.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi adds, “The World Cup is happening in the US for the first time. It’s new for us also. Some of our teammates have played here but we are here as a group for the first time. Hopefully it will go well for us and we are excited that cricket has come to the US. Club cricket is played here a lot, but this is international cricket and that too the World Cup, so we all are excited.”
Mohammad Rizwan remarks, “We all know that playing the World Cup is a proud moment for every person. We were runners-up last time, that thing is still in our minds, and the players that were there the last time still remember where we lost the final last time.”
Naseem Shah points out, “We are excited for sure. A new country, new conditions. We played the World Cup final in 2022 but made a few mistakes back then. Playing well is one thing but the excitement of holding the trophy in your hands is different.”
Azam Khan concludes, “I’m very happy that it’s my first World Cup and I’m playing in the States. Had never thought in life that a cricket World Cup would be held in the US. But this country is so big and is called the land of opportunities, so I think it’s an opportunity for every player of whichever country to make a name for himself here.”
Pakistan have a big clash against archrivals India in New York on Sunday.