"We did not start well, but the way the team came back, they fought like tigers": Babar Azam

[MenInG]

"We did not start well, but the way the team came back, they fought like tigers": Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Saturday addressed the media ahead of the T20 World Cup final against England and it was then that he was asked about Prime Minister's Shehbaz Sharif's tweet after India's semi-final loss against England. In his tweet, the Pakistan Prime Minister had taken a dig at Team India, saying: "So, this Sunday, it's: 152/0 vs 170/0 #T20WorldCup." During the pre-match press conference, Babar was asked about such social-media posts and whether they tend to put extra pressure on the side.

"There is no pressure as such. But sorry to say, I didn't see this tweet so I have no knowledge of it. But yes, we just try to give our best against the opposition," said Babar.

In the semi-final between India and England, the latter chased down the target of 169 with all ten wickets in hand and four overs to spare. Last year, Pakistan had defeated India will all ten wickets in hand while chasing 150 in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam-led Pakistan will take on England in the final of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Heading into the summit clash, all the talk is how there is an uncanny resemblance between the ongoing tournament and the 1992 50-over World Cup, which Pakistan won under the leadership of Imran Khan.

"Ofcourse, the similarities are there. We will try to win the trophy, it is a big honour for me to lead this team and especially at this big ground. We will try to give our 100 per cent and win. We did not start well, but the way team came back, they fought like tigers. We will look to continue from here and we will look to give our best," said Babar during a pre-match press conference.

https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-c...70-0-tweet-3513599#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan bounced back from losses in their two opening T20 World Cup matches to win their next four games and surge into the Final at the MCG on Sunday.

Babar now expects Pakistan to continue riding the wave of winning momentum that hit fresh heights with a commanding seven-wicket triumph over New Zealand in the semi-final.

"We have lost the first two matches (but) the way we came back the last four matches, we've performed very well,” Babar told reporters at the MCG on Saturday.

“We are playing good cricket in the last four matches and we'll try to continue that momentum into the Final.”

More than 90,000 fans packed the MCG the last time Pakistan played at the venue, in their opening T20 World Cup match against India, while 36,443 attended their semi-final at the SCG.

Pakistan have enjoyed similar support throughout the Super 12 stage and Babar said that the team are also drawing confidence from their many fervent fans around Australia.

"They give us confidence and (it's) good to see when we go anywhere, any stadium, they come and support the Pakistan team,” Babar said.

“We try 100 percent to give them a smile (and) to win the matches.”

While Babar is confident his team are on a path to glory on Sunday, the 28-year-old acknowledged that Pakistan will have to be wary of nullifying their opponent's strengths in the Final.

England will also enter the Final in stunning form after thumping India by 10 wickets in the second semi-final.

"England is a good team, they have a good bunch of players, and they have quality fast bowlers and batsmen,” Babar said.

“We'll have to be at our best to execute our plans.”

https://www.t20worldcup.com/news/2903771

 

[MenInG]

Babar invoking the "tiger" comparisons....

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Bring your A game. That's all cricket fans want, a good final. Weather permitting.

Need an involved Babar، not a clueless one

 

[MenInG]

Need this

 

[MenInG]

Something for Babar to think about

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[rhony]

Both semi finals were one sided games and Pak should start as favorites if the ball does a bit. If it's a flat wicket can't stop the English sloggers.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

What was that IPL question to babar, stupid question to ask any Pakistan player

 

[Saj]

Hopefully those runs in the semi-final for Babar will have boosted his confidence.

Even when he's not at his best he is a threat and a concern for the opposition.

Form is temporary and class is permanent.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Suleiman]

It wouldn’t fit with this year’s theme of Pakistan cricket if Babar wore a tiger shirt.

No, the theme this time around is “Qudrat ka Nizam”, and we’re already seeing that with the rain.

He needs to come out wearing Nature Boy Ric Flair’s costume.

 

[greatest]

This "fought like Tigers" statement is just absurd. Yes, they played well against South Africa but the next two games were against lesser teams which they didn't win convincingly or like Tigers. And most importantly that upset from Netherlands suddenly changed a team which was getting criticized from everyone to full of praise. The semi final win was great but let's see how me perform tomorrow because so far we play well one day and ordinary the next.

In comparison, in 1992, besides Sri Lanka we had to beat two tough teams. Australia like Pakistan were peaking late in the tournament and New Zealand were undefeated. One game was at Perth where we have always struggled and the next in Christchurch. So, in 1992 we really played the last 5 games like cornered tigers!

 

[pakistani pride]

This "fought like Tigers" statement is just absurd. Yes, they played well against South Africa but the next two games were against lesser teams which they didn't win convincingly or like Tigers. And most importantly that upset from Netherlands suddenly changed a team which was getting criticized from everyone to full of praise. The semi final win was great but let's see how me perform tomorrow because so far we play well one day and ordinary the next.

In comparison, in 1992, besides Sri Lanka we had to beat two tough teams. Australia like Pakistan were peaking late in the tournament and New Zealand were undefeated. One game was at Perth where we have always struggled and the next in Christchurch. So, in 1992 we really played the last 5 games like cornered tigers!

SA was the only team who didnt lost a match until they came up vs Pak. Also the game vs Bangla was a big big game. The SF vs NZ showed how good this team actually is.

 

[Stronguess]

"Girtey Hain Shahsawar Midaan-e-Jang Mein"

 

[greatest]

SA was the only team who didnt lost a match until they came up vs Pak. Also the game vs Bangla was a big big game. The SF vs NZ showed how good this team actually is.

Yes, the Bangladesh game was big but then this is a team which we would normally beat 9 times out of 10. Anyways, not taking anything away from Pakistan's comeback. It's just that it wasn't a cornered tigers performance as compared to 1992.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's a shame he looks like a kitten

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My msg to Pak cricket team today is the same I gave our team in the 1992 World Cup Final. First: enjoy the day as one rarely gets to play in a World Cup final & don't get overawed by it. Second: you will win if you are willing to take risks & can cash in on mistakes by opponents;</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1591683133686288384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That means playing with an attacking mindset. Good luck; the whole nation is praying for your success.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1591683136311656448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Team Pakistan &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <br><br>You have beaten all odds to reach the World Cup Final. I know you have the passion, motivation and determination to win. Believe in yourself & play your best game. The entire nation stands behind you. <br><br>Good luck</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1591680640726224896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[James]