Babar Azam speaks about learning from Rohit Sharma

Sydney, The Gulf Observer: The 16 captains from the T20 World Cup had a media outing earlier today, which was followed by a joint press conference. During the press conference, Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, was asked about the forthcoming clash with their arch-rivals India – who they will be meeting on October 23.

Azam replied that Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, is his senior and he tries to learn from Sharma as much as he can.

Azam said, “Rohit Sharma is older than me. I try to learn as much as I can from his experience as he has been playing for a long time.”

The Pakistani captain highlighted how there is immense mutual respect and admiration in both camps, despite the legacy of the rivalry.

Sharma echoed this opinion, saying that they understand the importance of the game but creating unnecessary animosity is counterproductive.

“We understand the importance of the game, but there’s no point in just talking about it all the time and creating pressure on yourself. Whenever we meet (members of the two teams), like recently we did during the Asia Cup before meeting here in Australia, we ask each other ‘How are things at home?’, ‘How’s the family?’ and all that. Whenever I meet players from Pakistan, this is what we usually talk about.” Sharma explained.

He further added, “The previous generation players, our seniors, who have played before us have also told us to keep talking and indulging. We talk about our homes, and our lives, like which new car have you purchased or are you going to purchase. That is what we talk about.”

The two sides open their World Cup campaign, with playing against each other, on October 23.