Babar says Pakistan ready for all opponents, not just India for World Cup
Cricket
Babar says Pakistan ready for all opponents, not just India for World Cup
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Thursday said that the Men in Green would focus on playing good cricket throughout the upcoming World Cup and not only against arch-rival India.
Addressing a press conference at the National Bank Stadium, Babar “We are going to play the World Cup, not to play only against India.”
"We will be going to play the World Cup, not just India. There are nine other teams as well. We are not focusing on only one team. We will reach final only if we beat them. Our job is to play cricket, wherever the matches are being played," Babar added.
The World Cup is set to be staged in India from October 5 to November 19. Whether Pakistan will travel across the border to take part in the showpiece is, however, yet to be confirmed.
The skipper said his team was prepared for the World Cup and that it was ready to feature at any venue they are asked to play at.
"Pakistan didn't win Test matches last year because we didn't play good Test cricket. I am giving my best as a captain,” said Babar.
“The question about changing me as captain can be better answered by the PCB,” he added.
“As a player, as a captain, I try to perform in all countries, dominate over there and win matches for Pakistan.”
The right-hander also confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed will be the first choice as wicketkeeper for the series.
Ahead of the big white-ball assignments in the World Cup and the preceding Asia Cup, Pakistan will kick off their 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship campaign with a two-match series against Sri Lanka starting July 16.
With conditions in the island nation to support spin bowling, Babar will face a tough decision to play one of two wicket-keepers/batters in Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan.
