Relaxed Babar reveals Pakistan's mindset ahead of Champions Trophy defence
In what will be Pakistan's first ICC tournament played on home soil since 1996, there is a lot on the line for this team.
Pakistan are the defending Champions Trophy title holders, winning in 2017, and one thing that carries over from that success eight years ago is the presence of none other than Babar Azam.
He was instrumental, as a budding 22-year-old, with the cricketing world at his feet, when Pakistan reigned supreme in the UK. And now, as a 30-year-old and one of the top batters in the world according to the ICC's ODI Rankings, he will look to help his side do it all again.
Pakistan v India | Match Highlights | 2017 Champions Trophy Final
'As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited,' Babar said.
'A lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017. We have new players coming, we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team. But the belief, confidence and execution are the same.'
As Babar points out, a lot has changed.
Pakistan have recently faced a period of challenging coaching change, off the back of group stage elimination in the last two ICC tournaments, most recently the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 that included a notable loss to the USA.
USA stun Pakistan in a dramatic Super Over finale in Dallas at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
But the star batter is refusing to accept that the instability and adversity this team has faced will be used as any kind of excuse during the Champions Trophy.
'There is no pressure of anything. What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them," he said.
'When you have responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you, then I take it in a positive way."
Shastri, Ponting preview the epic ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 | The ICC Review
Pakistan plan on making the most of their local knowledge, taking on New Zealand in Karachi in the tournament opener, and finishing their group stage phase against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.
Wedged in between those group games is a mega showdown with India in Dubai on February 23.
'When you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions,' he said.
'You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave, both in the first and second (innings), but still you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best. It means a lot to be hosting the competition.' ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 Babar Azam 10/15/1994 News
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