Babar Azam opens up on Pakistan's biggest strength in upcoming world event

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said the team’s experience of playing in the UAE conditions will be the side's biggest asset during the upcoming International T20 Cup, which begins in Oman and UAE from October 17. Since 2009, Pakistan have predominately played their cricket in UAE owing to the visitors concerns of touring Pakistan. They have a decent record in the country and have won all their last ten games in UAE. Azam feels the familiarity with the conditions will give them an edge over other teams during the global event.

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Azam-led Pakistan will begin their campaign against India on Sunday (October 24). Even though Pakistan have a miserable record against India, losing all their games in the showpiece event, the skipper sounded optimistic about his team’s chances of beating India for the first time in the International T20 Cup.

"Definitely we have played a lot of cricket in the UAE," Babar said in a captain's press conference when asked about his team's dismal 0-5 record against India in T20 World Cup clashes.

"These conditions suit us and we know how to play here. We need to keep things simple in all the departments."

The seventh edition of the marquee event will also see Azam making his debut as a player and captain. The 26-year-old is excited and honoured to lead the team, which has a lot of experienced players as well as few youngsters like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haider Ali. The skipper is also in good form and is hoping to carry forward it to the global event.

"Good performances give you confidence," Babar, who has hit two T20 centuries this year, said. "I am in form, hence it will benefit me."