Misbah-ul-Haq believes his country will find it difficult to edge past India when the two sides clash in next month’s T20 World Cup as there seems to be a “mental block” when it comes to playing the arch-rivals in ICC events. India and Pakistan will clash on June 9 in New York in arguably the most awaited league stage match of the T20 World Cup that begins on June 1 in the USA. India have lost to Pakistan just once (in 2021) in seven T20 World Cup matches.
Misbah-ul-Haq has admitted that the Men in Green face a mental block when it comes to playing against India in World Cup matches. The former middle-order batter cited the need to be mentally strong to overcome India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pakistan has beaten India only once in all T20 and 50-over World Cup contests, dating back to 1992. Pakistan’s only win over their arch-rivals came in the 2021 T20 World Cup fixture in Dubai when they won by 10 wickets.
Indian cricket team’s quality has risen many folds- Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan has beaten India only once in all T20 and 50-over World Cup contests, dating back to 1992. Pakistan’s only win over their arch-rivals came in the 2021 T20 World Cup fixture in Dubai when they won by 10 wickets.
On ‘Star Sports’ Press Room’, Misbah-ul-Haq warned that Pakistan must play out of their skins to beat this well-drilled Indian side. He said:
“You call it Pakistan’s jinx or mental block when it comes to playing India in World Cups. Pakistan will need to do a lot because this is a very skilled Indian team with a powerful bowling line-up and two good spinners.
“India has quality fast bowlers in Bumrah, Siraj and Hardik. The Indian cricket team’s quality has risen many folds. It will be difficult to break, mental attitude matters a lot and Australia handles the mental side the best way,”
Pakistan came close to beating India in the 2022 T20 World Cup game in Melbourne. However, a masterclass knock from Virat Kohli denied them as he struck an unbeaten 82 to take the Men in Blue to victory out of nowhere.
He enjoys supremacy over Pakistan mentally – Misbah-ul-Haq on Virat Kohli
Misbah-Ul-Haq stated that Kohli will be a massive factor yet again, given his desire to step up on big occasions while also finding motivation from criticism. The 49-year-old added:
“Kohli is going to be a big factor. He has damaged Pakistan many a time. He enjoys supremacy over Pakistan mentally. He takes motivation from big occasions and not pressure,”
“The Virat Kohli effect will definitely be there. He is a top-class cricketer. He is one player who can win you matches, strike rates don’t matter. Good players take motivation from those voices or criticism,” he added.
Misbah-Ul-Haq still hasn’t forgotten the ill-executed scoop shot in the inaugural T20 World Cup final against India in 2007.
With Pakistan needing just six runs to win from the last four balls, Misbah-Ul-Haq attempted that shot over fine leg which was caught by S Sreesanth as Pakistan crumbled to 152, chasing a target of 157, handing India the trophy.
But Misbah-Ul-Haq said that tournament was responsible for the rapid growth of T20 cricket.
“In 2007 T20 World Cup, all teams were not so serious. India handed captaincy to a young (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni. But the final between India and Pakistan, the greatest rivalry in the history of cricket. The hype that T20 got after that World Cup is immense,” said Misbah-ul-Haq.
“The way T20 cricket flourished, I feel whatever we achieved and the current players are now plying their trade in different leagues and IPL is something great,” he added.
The marquee fixture between the two rivals India and Pakistan will take place on June 9 in New York.