Despite losing to India in their very first match of the campaign, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan believes that the Men in Green were actually better than their counterparts when these two sides met on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After a lot of struggle in the middle, India registered a four-wicket victory over their rivals, courtesy of a blistering inning from Virat Kohli, who remained not-out at 82 from 53 deliveries.
Just before their all-important finals against England, Shadab revealed how everyone in the team gave their hundred percent but in the end, the results didn’t go in their favour. The 24-year-old also spoke on what Indo-Pak cricketing rivalry means to him and the kind of pressure the players need to take in order to get it through.
“We just wanted to give our 100 percent. We knew if we give our 100 percent, the result will come on our side. And that game, we gave our 100 percent. We didn’t finish it but we knew that we are a better side than them,” the vice-captain of the Pakistan team said on their last match against India.
“Pakistan-India game is a big game. For us. For them as well. So we have to try to win that game. Since childhood we also think, doesn’t matter about the other things, if we are winning the World Cup or not….we have to beat India. And the same pressure we are feeling now. That’s the pressure you carry. Doesn’t matter if you are playing or not,” he added speaking about the great rivalry.
Could Pakistan clinch their second 20-20 World Cup title?
After two back-to-back defeats at the hands of India and Zimbabwe, Pakistan have made a solid comeback winning four matches in a row to qualify for the finals of the competition. In the semi-finals, Pakistan defeated New Zealand and will face England on November 13 at the MCG.
Despite England sweeping India in the previous match, the Pakistan team are unlikely to make any changes in the order. Their bowling has been brilliant in the last few matches and it will play a massive role as Pakistan aims to clinch their second T20 World title in history. Now, given their form, they actually can do the unthinkable and leave behind a legacy.
