The 2022 edition of T20 World Cup 2022 has come to its business end, with Pakistan due to take on England in the tournament final at MCG on Sunday (November 13).

On the eve of the summit clash, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam addressed a press conference, where a question on the Indian Premier League (IPL) left him totally uncomfortable and needed the intervention of the Pakistan media manager.

“Talk about the benefits of playing the IPL, is that something you feel would have helped you and your team and is that something you have any hope for in the future?,” asked the journalist.

Babar was taken aback by the question and immediately turned to the Pakistan media manager, who responded by saying: “We are taking questions on the World Cup final at the moment.”

Notably, Pakistani players have been barred from taking part in the IPL since the 2009 season. They only featured in the inaugural edition of the tournament before the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and degrading relations between the two countries put an end to Pakistani cricketers’ participation in the IPL.

During the press conference, Babar was also asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tweet, in which he took a dig at Team India after their T20 World Cup 2022 exit.

The Men in Blue bowed out of the tournament with a 10-wicket thrashing at the hands of England in the second semi-final at the Adelaide Oval on November 10.

After the game, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif tweeted: "So, this Sunday, it’s: 152/0 vs 170/0 #T20WorldCup", referring to India’s 10-wicket defeat against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2021 while chasing the target of 152.

When Babar was asked about the tweet and whether such posts tend to put extra pressure on the side, the Pakistan captain replied: "There is no pressure as such. But sorry to say, I didn't see this tweet so I have no knowledge of it. But yes, we just try to give our best against the opposition."