In the electrifying buildup to one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has imparted crucial wisdom to his young teammates ahead of their high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 showdown against India at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. With the match set for Sunday, Babar emphasized the power of composure under pressure.
Speaking exclusively in a video shared on social media by ESPNcricinfo, the 31-year-old captain stressed staying calm amid the chaos. ‘The more relaxed and calm you remain, ignoring the external noise, the better you’ll perform,’ he advised. ‘Focus is key. We’ve played these matches many times and learned from experience. We share this with the youngsters – stay worry-free for peak performance.’
India and Pakistan have clashed eight times in T20 World Cups, with India dominating 7-1. Pakistan’s lone victory came under Babar’s leadership, where he and Mohammad Rizwan forged an unbeaten 152-run stand, chasing down the target with 10 wickets in hand.
Babar acknowledged the unique intensity of Indo-Pak encounters. ‘These games are always high-intensity. The whole world watches, expectations skyrocket to another level,’ he noted. Currently, Pakistan sits second in Group A after losing their first two matches. Babar scored 15 against Netherlands but bounced back with 46 versus USA.
As pressure mounts, Babar’s mantra could be the game-changer. Will his young brigade channel this serenity to upset the odds against a formidable India? Cricket fans worldwide are glued to their screens.