We can beat India again, says Inzamam-ul-Haq

It was in the year 2004 and Team India was up against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to field first. Indian batting collapsed in front of Pakistan’s bowling attack. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shoaib Akhtar picked up 4 wickets each as India were bowled out for just 200 runs. But Irfan Pathan started brilliantly for India and they had 3 wickets for just 27 runs.

But a stern captain stood there scored 41 vital runs. After his dismissal, Yousuf Youhana (now Mohammad Yusuf) took Pakistan home to ensure a 2-0 head-to-head lead over India in Champions Trophy. It also meant India’s elimination from the tournament. Thereafter a lot of things have changed. India has defeated Pakistan in Champions Trophy and has won the CT, World Cup and World T20. Pakistan, on the other hand, has also won a  World T20 title.

But after 13 years, the rivalry will be witnessed again at the same ground, Edgbaston. Pakistan will look to increase their head-to-head win ratio to 3:1, while India will be looking to restore parity. The captain of the 2004 side Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is now the chief selector, feels Pakistan can repeat the 2004 performance. He said, “We can win again.”

Focus is on winning Champions Trophy

Inzamam made their intentions clear by saying they will go to England to win Champions Trophy. Defeating India will be a bonus, but it is of no use until and unless they win the championship. “We are not going to England just to beat India but our prime target is to win the championship,” said the former skipper.

On last Sunday, Pakistan won their maiden Test series in West Indies as Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan bid adieu to international cricket. Eight players of the Champions Trophy team, namely – Sarfraz Ahmed, Ahmad Shahzad, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz — will be boarding their flight to Birmingham directly from the Caribbean.

While seven cricketers, namely- Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Imad Waseem, Shoaib Malik, Junaid Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Fahim Ashraf- have been asked to report at National Cricket Academy. They will be departing for England after that.

Pakistan is placed in Group B alongside India, Sri Lanka and South Africa. They will begin their campaign against their arch-rivals on 4th June at Edgbaston, Birmingham.