Babar Azam's Defining Moment: The 2021 India Victory
Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam has revealed that Pakistan's historic victory against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup remains the most treasured moment of his captaincy career. During a candid conversation with former England captain Kevin Pietersen on "The Switch | Kevin Pietersen" show, Azam didn't hesitate when asked about his proudest achievements.
"It means a lot for me, I think, India... So when we are beating India in T20. I think, for me, one of the best. First time, as a Pakistani captain, I beat India in the World Cup. Yeah, it's a very, very big thing," Babar stated emphatically.
The Unforgettable Dubai Match
The 2021 fixture in Dubai became a landmark moment in Pakistan cricket history, marking their first-ever victory against India in a men's World Cup across any format. What made the victory even more remarkable was the manner in which it was achieved - a comprehensive 10-wicket win that left cricket fans worldwide stunned.
Babar, displaying his characteristic calmness, scored an unbeaten 68 runs while his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan remained not out on 79. Together, they chased down India's target of 152 without losing a single wicket, delivering one of the most dominant performances in the history of the fierce rivalry.
Kevin Pietersen immediately agreed with Babar's assessment of the match's significance, describing India-Pakistan contests as "the biggest sporting event in the world," claiming they generate even more impact than a football World Cup final.
Learning from Cricket's Modern Greats
Beyond discussing his achievements, Babar also shared insights into his growth mindset and how he actively seeks to learn from opponents. The Pakistani captain revealed his unique approach of approaching opposition stars after matches to understand their training methods and mental preparation.
"When we have a match... after the match, I ask him in the match. I need your time after the match," Babar told Pietersen, confirming that he has engaged in such conversations with some of cricket's biggest names including Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and even India's Virat Kohli.
When asked about the content of these discussions, Babar emphasized that the focus is always on preparation and mental discipline. "You know, mindset... focus and working hard. How many balls he's playing in the day... when he's batting in the nets, how focus in the batting time. The same mindset you take in the match or practice or different. So they give me good, you know, tips," he explained.
This victory against India set the tone for Pakistan's successful campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where they eventually reached the semifinals. For Babar Azam, while he continues to learn from the best in the business and values those interactions, nothing quite matches the significance of that historic night in Dubai when Pakistan finally broke their World Cup jinx against their arch-rivals.
