Pakistan are yet to beat arch-rivals India in the World Cup games.
With almost a month to go for the high-voltage encounter, Pakistan pace Hassan Ali has expressed confidence that his team can beat the arch-rivals in the showpiece tournament, replicating its comprehensive victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at the Oval.
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Since then, Pakistan have played India thrice in the 50-over format and got thrashed on each occasion — twice at the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai and the 2019 ODI World Cup in Manchester.
Moreover, Pakistan are yet to beat India in the World Cup whether it is the 50-over or T20 World Cup games.
“When we won the Champions Trophy (in 2017), it was a very good time for us and we will try to beat them again in the T20 World Cup. We will give our best. Playing against India is always a pressure game because of the expectations of fans from both countries,” Hassan told a virtual media conference on Wednesday (September 15).
He further pointed out the crazy following of India-Pakistan matches at the global events.
“Even those people who don’t normally watch cricket follow the India vs Pakistan matches, so the pressure on the players is high but we will give it our best.”
According to Hassan Ali, spinners would dominate in the dry conditions in UAE but it didn’t mean that pacers won’t do well in those conditions.
“We know how to bowl in those conditions but yes you can see all teams have picked many spinners in their squads.”
On a different note, Hassan expressed his disappointment at the way Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis resigned as head coach and bowling coach right before the T20 World Cup.
“Honestly speaking, I was disappointed because the World Cup was coming and such a change happened and they left,” he said.
“But it is not our domain as a player and this is something for the Pakistan Cricket Board and others to handle. Our job is to perform and try to win matches for Pakistan.”
“I wish them the best. I will miss Waqar’s guidance as I took up bowling after watching him bowl on screen.”
Hassan Ali also commented on the appointment of former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander as the bowling consultant with the Pakistan team for the T20 World Cup.
“We all know that Philander is a great bowler and he has performed at the top level. We are looking forward to working with him but it is too early to say how much benefit we can get from him as this will only be clear once he joins the squad.”
(With PTI inputs)