Babar Azam Urges Team to ‘Stay Easy and Tension-Free’ Ahead of T20 WC Showdown vs India

Colombo, Feb 14: Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam has advised young teammates to remain composed and block out external noise ahead of the marquee India–Pakistan encounter in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking in a video shared by ESPNCricinfo, Babar emphasised that handling pressure in such global spectacles depends largely on mental balance. He noted that players perform better when they stay relaxed and avoid being overwhelmed by the hype surrounding the contest.

The India–Pakistan rivalry in T20 World Cups has largely favoured India, who have won seven of their eight meetings. Pakistan’s sole victory came in 2021, when Babar and Mohammad Rizwan stitched together a match-winning 152-run opening stand to secure a historic 10-wicket triumph.

Reflecting on the magnitude of the fixture, Babar described it as a game that captures worldwide attention, with expectations soaring beyond usual levels. He stressed that while excitement is natural, staying “easy and tension-free” is crucial for delivering under pressure.

The 31-year-old will once again be central to Pakistan’s hopes. He managed only 15 off 18 balls against the Netherlands in the tournament opener but bounced back with a fluent 46 off 32 deliveries against the USA, striking four boundaries and a six.

With anticipation building for Sunday’s showdown, Pakistan will look to their experienced campaigners to steady the nerves as they attempt to shift the momentum in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.