As the much-anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan approaches in New York, former national wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has offered crucial advice to Pakistan’s star batter and captain, Babar Azam. Latif emphasized the importance of handling high-pressure moments, suggesting that Babar should take cues from Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who excel in such situations.
Babar, 29, is set to lead the Green Shirts for the third time in the T20 World Cup. Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the semi-finals in 2021 and the finals in 2022, where they faced defeats against Australia and England, respectively. Despite these achievements, Latif believes Babar has room for growth as a leader, especially in managing the intense pressure that comes with playing against India.
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In an interview with the Press Trust of India, Latif remarked, “The focus is on the game on June 9 against India. Babar will be under a lot of pressure because of the game against India rather than performing in the World Cup.” He added, “But he has to learn to carry pressure; he should learn that from Virat and Rohit. They know how to carry the game. As a batter, Babar is one of the best, but as a captain and leader, there’s a lot that he needs to learn.”
Historically, India has dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cup encounters, winning six out of seven matches. However, Pakistan achieved a memorable victory against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, securing a 10-wicket win thanks to an unbeaten 152-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
Latif also highlighted the current challenges facing the Pakistani team. He pointed out that the team does not seem as prepared as in previous editions due to disruptions following the 2023 ODI World Cup, including changes in captaincy, the selection committee, and player roster. “The Pakistan team plays well in ICC tournaments, but the team doesn’t look as prepared as they were in 2021 and 2022. The damage happened after the last ODI World Cup with changes in captaincy, the selection committee, and players,” Latif explained. “The team doesn’t know who their openers will be and what they have tried has failed miserably.”
As the high-stakes match against India looms, Babar Azam’s ability to handle pressure and lead effectively will be crucial for Pakistan’s success in the T20 World Cup.
