Babar Azam held a presser in Lahore on Tuesday ahead of departure for World Cup 2023!

Babar Azam said he was excited for the October 14 World Cup clash with arch-rival and hosts India in Ahmedabad and vowed to perform his best.

“I’m very excited to play in Ahmedabad. It is the biggest stadium in the world and will be jam-packed for the India-Pakistan clash,” he said.

“I have spoken to former cricketers about the condition and they are not that different,” he said.

“I will try to perform to the best of my ability. I can’t exactly tell you how I will do since I’m not an astrologer.”

“I’m not worried about my performance. I always try to perform in a manner that suits the team,” he added.

Read more: Uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 ends

“As a team, our morale is very high, we have confidence. We will try to play our best. I request all of you to pray for the team,” the skipper said.

“We could not deliver up to the mark, but we learned from it. We just don’t point out our errors, but we also talk about how to improve those sides,” the captain said, adding “The conditions are different from Asia Cup. We will monitor the conditions, and whatever is best for Pakistan, we will go into the match with that planning.”

“I spoke to Shadab Khan and we gave confidence to each other. I and Shadab know that we aren’t bowling well in the middle overs, but I trust my players more than I trust myself,” he said.

The captain, in response to a question about Hasan Ali’s inclusion in the team, said that he was picked due to his experience.

Babar said that he and seven to nine other players have been playing together since 2019, noting that he prefers keeping those in the squad he trusts.

“I make very few changes; when we are together, we produce good results. A player should be supported when he is not doing well,” he said, adding that the team would miss Naseem Shah.

The Pakistan team captain also rejected reports of a “war of words” with pacer Shaheen Afridi, saying the players “love each other like a family”.

“Since when you became captain, the team has given you respect and everyone honors you a lot, even Iftikhar Ahmed considers you elder brother,” a journalist asked Babar.

He was then questioned about rumors of differences within the team.

“There were reports regarding Shaheen Afridi after the Asia Cup debacle so the fans want to know how good your bonding is with Shaheen Afridi and how much he respects you?”

In response, Babar Azam said: “Everyone gives me respect and see when you lose close matches then certain [diagreements] do take place in team meetings but this was taken out of context that there was a duel between us.”

“There’s nothing like this. We have the same respect for each other and will remain the same. We love each other like a family.”

Clips from the skipper’s press conference are now doing rounds on the X-platform.

Despite all the hate/trolls from the other side, Babar Azam is still expecting love & support for himself & his team. This is what you call upbringing🫂

To the local fans, He knows they'll support him in every possible way. Let's say Yes to his call & trend #BehindYouSkipper 🫡 pic.twitter.com/LsvuzZFBKk

— Team Babar Azam (@Team_BabarAzam) September 26, 2023

"I trust my players more than myself"

This statement from Babar Azam is enough to show that He is not a captain, He is a Leader 🙌🏻

What a confident way to go into the World Cup. You back your players, we back you @babarazam258 🫡 #BehindYouSkipperpic.twitter.com/MariJSTC1E

— Team Babar Azam (@Team_BabarAzam) September 26, 2023

We are not here to take part, we are here to take over.

Top 4 is too low to target, we will be No.1 💪🏻

This statement from Babar Azam has raises the expectations as well as the confidence, #Mission23 has well and truly begun. #BehindYouSkipperpic.twitter.com/frFr1zBURn

— Team Babar Azam (@Team_BabarAzam) September 26, 2023