"India-Pakistan will always...": Babar Azam ahead of high-octane IND vs PAK Asia Cup clash

NEW DELHI: Brimming with confidence after their crushing win over minnows Nepal in their Asia Cup 2023 opener, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his team is 100 percent ready for much-awaited blockbuster against India. India and Pakistan will lock horns on September 2 in Pallekele.


Babar led from the front with a magnificent 151 and Iftikhar Ahmed produced an unbeaten 109 to power Pakistan to a 238-run win against Nepal in Multan.


"This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence," Babar, who was named Player of the Match for his 19th one-day hundred, said.

"India-Pakistan will always bring high intensity. We want to give 100% in every match, hope to do that there as well."



Babar, who is the top-ranked ODI batter, showcased his expertise through the impeccable pacing of his innings. Despite an early loss of both openers, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan (44) steadied the innings before Iftikhar joined the partnership.

Babar reached his half-century in 72 balls, then accelerated to achieve a century in 109 deliveries. Following that, he adopted a more aggressive approach reminiscent of T20 cricket, accumulating 51 runs off the subsequent 22 balls he faced.


"When I went in, the ball wasn't coming on properly, so I was trying to build an innings with Rizwan," Babar explained.

"Iftikhar also played a great innings when he came on.

"When he came in, I told him to play his natural game and he was comfortable after hitting two-three boundaries."