Page 5 - Babar Azam

Asia Cup, IND vs PAK: Rohit has strongest Indian side since 2011- Shastri

A seasoned leader like Rohit Sharma understands the "terrain" of an Indo-Pak contest better than most but Babar Azam's unit won't be mere pushovers as it has managed to narrow the gap with the arch-rivals in the past few years, said former India head coach Ravi Shastri. India and Pakistan will be meeting in an ODI game after four years when they face-off on Saturday. "I would say India start as favourites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players. And a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most,' Shastri told ESPN Cricinfo on Friday. "Having said that, Pakistan have narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years (ago), there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man to man. But Pakistan have narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game." While Indian teams during the last two decades have dominated the proceedings against the cross-border nation, the former head coach wants players not to

Asia Cup, IND vs PAK: Babar backs team's experience in Lanka to do well

Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Friday played down the talks of pressure on his side and said they were banking on their experience in Sri Lankan conditions to do well against India in their Asia Cup match. Pakistan had played a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in July and then several players, including Babar, stayed back for the Lanka Premier League (LPL). After the LPL, Pakistan took on Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series, which they won 3-0. Babar said the whole trip would stand the side in good stead. "We have been here since July. We have played Test matches, some league (LPL) matches and then the ODIs (against Afghanistan). We are hoping that this will help us to do well against India tomorrow," said Babar during the pre-match press-conference. Babar shot down talks of pressure surrounding an Indo-Pak match, and said they were just concentrating on the game and not on outside noises. "There is no extra pressure. Yes, the India vs Pakistan match is always one of high ..

Asia Cup, IND vs PAK preview: It's Rohit, Gill & Kohli vs Pak's pace trio

Virat Kohli won't mind an encore of that magical moment against Haris Rauf while Rohit Sharma would be ready with his answers for Shaheen Shah Afridi's banana inswingers in India's 'battle royale' against Pakistan, which will be more than just a World Cup dress rehearsal. The Asia Cup has returned to the 50-over format to facilitate an ideal match preparation for five of the six participating teams but for organisers and the fans India versus Pakistan is not just another game, it is 'The Match'. Kohli's lofted check-drive off Rauf under Melbourne skyline last year during the T20 World Cup became a part of Indian cricket fans' muscle memory while Pakistanis rejoiced when Rohit failed to negotiated a lethal tailing-in delivery from Shaheen and was caught plumb. Such performances help players grow into legends and Saturday's Asia Cup game will be another opportunity for cricketers from both the sides to emerge as heroes. However with steady rain predicted in the hilly Kandy region on

Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam says big win against Nepal boost for India match

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday said the massive 238-run win over Nepal in the Asia Cup opener will give his side confidence ahead of their blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India on Saturday. Pakistan crushed minnows Nepal by a huge margin of 238 runs here in a Group A match to make a winning start to the Asia Cup. Pakistan will now travel to Sri Lanka for the much-anticipated match against India to be played in Pallekele. "This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence. We want to give 100 per cent every match, hope to do that there as well," Babar said after the end of the match. Babar smashed 151, his 19th ODI century while Iftikhar Ahmed (109 not out) hit his maiden ODI ton to power Pakistan to an imposing 342 for six after opting to bat. Babar was involved in two crucial partnerships after a sedate start -- first stitching 86 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 50) and then sharing an whirlwind 214 runs for the fifth wicket with ..

IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam's 151 rings the danger bell for India

Babar Azam hit 151 against Nepal in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023. It rang the danger bells for Team India. The two arch-rivals clash on Saturday, September 02, in Babar's next game

Asia Cup today's match: PAK vs NEP playing 11, toss result, live streaming

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq are the two openers in Pakistan Playing 11 vs Nepal in Match 1 of Asia Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023 PAK vs NEP Highlights: Babar's team thrash Nepal by 238 runs

Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan vs Nepal 2023 Highlights: Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed hit centuries to take Pakistan to 342 in 50 overs. Shadab Khan led bowlers to bowl Nepal out for 104 to win by 238 runs

Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan are team to beat in the tournament believes Ashwin

Premier India spinner R Ashwin feels Pakistan will be the side to beat in Asia Cup and consistent performances from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will make them even more dangerous in the continental event. Terming both Pakistan and India as a favourites for the Asian title, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, "If Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan consistently dish out performances with the bat, Pakistan will be one hell of a team heading into this Asia Cup and the World Cup. "It will take some beating since Pakistan is an extraordinary team." Pakistan face Nepal in the tournament opener on Wednesday before taking on India in the much awaited clash on September 2. The Men in Blue have won the last three meetings against Pakistan in ODIs. Ashwin feels the depth in Pakistan squad makes them serious contenders for Asia Cup and subsequent World Cup. "It is all down to their (Pakistan's) squad depth. Pakistan has invariably developed exceptional cricketers. "Thanks to its tape-ball cri

Would have been nice if Asia Cup was held in Pakistan n its entirety: Babar

Pakistan captain Babar Azam doesn't want to make a hue and cry about 'Hybrid Model' of hosting the Asia Cup but felt that it would have been nice to have hosted the marquee tournament in his country in its entirety. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have hosting rights for the Asia Cup but the Asian Cricket Council headed by Jay Shah opted for 'Hybrid Model' where Sri Lanka became the co-hosts after it was clear that Indian cricket team won't travel to Pakistan. "If you ask me, it would have been good if the whole tournament would have been held in Pakistan but unfortunately nothing can be done about it," Pakistan skipper Babar said at the pre-tournament media conference ahead of the opening match against minnows Nepal. Pakistan start on Wednesday (Aug 30) against Nepal in Multan and then fly to Sri Lanka the very next day for the big ticket clash against India at Pallekele on September 2. Within 24 hours (September 3), they are back in Lahore for their Super Four game on September 6

Asia Cup 2023, PAK vs NEP preview: Pakistan lock horns with Nepal in Multan

Pakistan will begin their campaign in the Asia Cup on Wednesday taking on Nepal in the city's sweltering heat as multi-team international cricket returns to the country after nearly 15 years. It has been a long, rough road for Pakistan cricket ever since the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009. Following the attack, not only did Pakistan lose the Champions Trophy hosting rights but also its share of the World Cup matches in 2011. With the International Cricket Council (ICC) and member nations reluctant to visit the country because of security reasons, Pakistan went without an international game at home for nearly eight years against top-tier teams. Which is why, the four matches of the Asia Cup being held in the country hold great significance for Pakistan, who have also been awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan, who recently rose to No. 1 in ODI rankings after a clean sweep of the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, should win comfortab

Pakistan's Asia Cup 2023 squad: Faheem Ashraf, Tayyib Tahir surprise picks

While Tayyib Tahir was rewarded for his performance in the recently concluded Emerging Teams Asia Cup final against India. Fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been called back

Gill breaks the long-standing record of Babar Azam against WI in 2nd ODI

Shubman Gill breaks the long-standing record of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. With his 34-run inning in the second ODI, Gill become the highest run scorer after 26 innings, he has scored 1352 runs

IND vs PAK: Focus on winning ODI World Cup in India, says Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Thursday asserted that his team is focussed on winning the ODI World Cup in India and not just beating the arch-rivals in the much-awaited clash in Ahmedabad on October 15. Pakistan are expected to travel to India for the ICC event though their participation is subject to government clearance. "We are not thinking only about playing and winning against India in the World Cup. We are looking at doing well in every match if we are to win the ICC title. "We are going to play the World Cup, not just India in India," said Babar. He also said that the rumblings in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not have any bearing on the national team's performance in the ICC World Cup, or in the assignments prior to that. When asked if the recent changes in the PCB leadership and selection committee had affected the players, Babar said their work is to focus on cricket. "We don't focus on what is happening in the PCB. We just focus on cricket. We have the entire

It could have been different if Shaheen had bowled that over: Babar Azam

Pakistan could have seen a different result if pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi had not got injured during the T20 World Cup final, skipper Babar Azam said on Sunday after his team lost the title clash to England. Afridi had injured his knee while catching Harry Brooks. He was brought into the attack in the 16th over but he could bowl only one ball and Iftikhar Ahmed had to complete that over. It badly affected the bowling balance. Ahmed's friendly off-breaks were belted for 13 runs by England batters by Ben Stokes, who hit him for a six and a four, as pressure created by Pakistan eased after that. "May be if Shaheen could have bowled that over, things would have been different. And since there were two left-handers (Stokes and Moeen Ali) and I thought of bowling an off-spinner," Babar reasoned. "Since we did not build a partnership, we went on the backfoot. England bowlers were brilliant but that's not an excuse. We played according to the situation but pressure was on us till 20th over.

PAK vs ENG T20 WC Final Highlights: Stokes' 52* guides England to the title

Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022 Final Highlights: 137 was never going to be a tough chase, but Pakistan bowlers put in their all to try and defend it. But Stokes' patient 52* won it for England

PAK vs ENG T20 World Cup 2022 Final: Pitch, weather and the Twitter buildup

Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022 Final: Here's what people are talking about before the all-important mega final

PAK vs ENG T20 World Cup Final: Pakistan and England predicted XI at MCG

Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup Final, Predicted XI: Find out the latest team news and the predicted playing eleven of both Pakistan and England for the T20 World Cup 2022 final

England vs Pakistan: Head-to-head stats ahead of T20 World Cup final at MCG

Following are some England-Pakistan head-to-head stats in white-ball cricket ahead of their T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. * England and Pakistan will meet in a World Cup final again after 30 years. * At the same venue of MCG, Pakistan had won their only ODI World Cup, defeating England by 22 runs in 1992. * There are more striking similarities with the 1992 World Cup. Thirty years ago too, Pakistan had beaten New Zealand en route to the final. * In the T20 World Cup, England and Pakistan have met twice so far with the former winning on both occasions, by six wickets in 2010 and by 48 runs in 2009. * In the ODI World Cup, Pakistan have a better head-to-head record of 5-4 from 10 matches. One match was a no result. * Both Pakistan and England suffered setbacks in the Super 12 stage. Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe, England to Ireland. * On head-to-head, England lead 18-9 versus Pakistan, while one match ended in no result. * In the two T20 World Cup meetings, Eng

T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan's road to final: Fortune favours the brave

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan's journey has been a dramatic one so far and it is only through a miracle that they have reached the final

T20 World Cup: Pakistan knocks New Zealand out, books a slot in the finals

Pakistan now waits for the winner of today's tie between India and England to set up the finals clash for the ICC men's T20 World Cup