New Delhi: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam revealed how he tackles the pressure when facing arch-rivals India in international cricket. Irrespective of the tournament, the stakes are always high when India lock horns with Pakistan. Millions across the world remain glued to their TV screens during the high-profile encounter, with the pressure at an all-time high for both sides.
India and Pakistan will renew their rivalry when they lock horns in a blockbuster clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, February 15. Ahead of the much-anticipated game, Babar opened up on handling pressure in the high-intensity encounter and shared a message for the youngsters in the Pakistan team.
The former Pakistan skipper, who has faced India in five matches in T20Is, admitted that expectations are always high on both sides when the two teams meet. He also underlined the importance of remaining calm and handling pressure in such matches to remain focused.
“Look, as we discussed, an India–Pakistan match is always high-intensity. The whole world is involved — all the fans, both countries — and like you said, it feels like the entire world is watching. It then goes to a different level, and the expectations also rise to a completely different level,” Babar told ESPNCrcinfo.
“We have played quite a few such matches, and we’ve learned that the calmer and more relaxed you keep yourself, and the less you listen to outside noise, the better it is. If you stay straightforward and focused, that helps a lot,” he added.