'If you ask me, we will win' : Babar Azam on high octane clash against India

With just three days to go for the upcoming International T20 cup, the excitement and build-up are palpable among experts and fans. The showpiece event returns after five years and will be held in Oman and UAE from October 17. Earlier the ICC had announced the Group stage pitting India and Pakistan in the same group.

Later, it also announced Sunday (October 24) as the date for the Indo-Pak clash. This is undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in cricket. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who will make his debut in the International T20 Cup as a player and captain is confident of his team’s chances of beating India.

"We know the pressure and the high intensity of each game, especially the first one. Hopefully, we can win the match and carry the momentum forward,” Azam was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Interestingly, Pakistan have never beaten India in the International T20 Cup. Azam has a lot of pressure leading up to this encounter, which also happens to be his side’s first match in the global event. The Pakistani skipper though sounded optimistic about doing well against India.

"Your belief and confidence as a group matter a lot before a tournament," he said. "As a team, our confidence and morale are really high. We are not thinking of the past but the future. We are preparing for that. I am fully confident that we are well prepared and will play good cricket on the day."

Pakistan have played a lot of cricket in UAE and the players are well used to the conditions. Babar said having played considerable amount of cricket in the UAE will be a big advantage to his team.

"We've been playing cricket in UAE for the past 3-4 years and we know the conditions really well," said Azam. "We know how the wicket will behave and the adjustments batters will have to make. On the day who plays the better cricket, wins the match. If you ask me, we will win."