Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, is gearing up for the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup clash against India, with a keen focus on countering the formidable threat of Virat Kohli. The match, scheduled for June 9 in New York, is expected to be a thrilling encounter between the arch-rivals.
Azam revealed, “We are meticulously planning our strategies to counter the formidable presence of star Indian batsman Virat Kohli in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup showdown between the two cricketing giants.”
Speaking ahead of his team’s T20I series against Ireland scheduled to commence from March 10, comprising three exhilarating matches to be held in Dublin, Babar emphasised the significance of devising a comprehensive game plan to neutralise Kohli’s impact on the field.
Recalling the intensity of their previous T20 Cup encounter in 2022, Babar reminisced, “He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players and we will plan against him as well.”
Kohli’s prowess against Pakistan in T20Is is nothing short of remarkable. Across 10 encounters, he has amassed a staggering total of 488 runs, boasting an impressive average of 81.33 and a blistering strike rate exceeding 123.
Speaking at the media conference in Dublin on Monday, Babar said, “As a team, you always plan against different teams and according to their strengths. We do not plan anything against one player. We plan for all 11 players.”
The T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan promises to be a spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Both teams are in Group A, along with Ireland, Canada, and USA. Pakistan will kickstart its campaign against the USA on June 6.
Prior to the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will play a series against Ireland, with three T20Is scheduled from May 10 to May 14 in Dublin. This will be followed by a series against England, with four T20Is scheduled from May 22 to May 30 in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, and London.
Azam expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and unity, especially with the recent appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach. With meticulous planning and a strong team spirit, Pakistan aims to put up a formidable challenge against India and other competitors in the T20 World Cup.
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