Pakistan star Babar Azam recalls Champions Trophy triumph against India

As the Champions Trophy 2025 has already started Pakistans premier batsman Babar Azam recalled his memories from the 2017 edition final when his side defeated archrivals India to lift the titleThe Champions Trophy 2017 helped Babar Azam announce himself in the international circuit In the 2017 final against Team India the righthanded batsman played a knock of 46 runs off 52 deliveries Following his knock the Green Shirts were able to register a 180run victory over IndiaAs a player I am very excited and all the fans are excited Babar said as quoted by an ICC media releaseBabar Azam also highlighted the performances of Fakhar Zaman Mohammed Amir and Hasan Ali which helped the side guide to the victoryMy primary memories of the 2017 final are Fakhar Zamans innings of 114 the spell of Mohammad Amir Hasan Alis spell and the winning moment For me it was a new journey as I was a young player Playing against India that excitement and the nervousness was there but when we won we enjoyed and celebrated Babar Azam saidAlso ReadBack with a bangA lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017 We have new players coming we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team But the belief confidence and execution are the same he addedAhead of the Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan is playing their opening batsman against New ZealandJoe Root Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are part of the respective England Australia and India squads but Babar stands in a league of his own in ODI cricket heading into this competition as the worlds topranked batter in the 50over format a position he has been holding since 2021When you have a responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you then I take it in a positive way I try to give my best in every match I try to perform so that Pakistan win and I enjoy my cricket the 30yearold saidRighthand batters form will be crucial if Pakistan are to improve on their recent tournament record They have been knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Mens Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last years ICC Mens T20 World Cup after losing to cohosts USAThere is no pressure of anything What has happened in the past is beyond us We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them So we will try not to do what we have done in the past the former Pakistan skipper said as the media release addedNotably the home advantage could be key if Pakistan are to experience a change in fortunes Babars home city of Lahore is among the three Pakistani cities hosting matches and he believes local knowledge will help his side thriveWhen you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave both in the first and second innings but still you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best Babar saidIt means a lot to be hosting the competition The hospitality here in Pakistan is great and people love cricket here Cricket puts everyone in one place It unites everyone and the whole of Pakistan is busy praying that Pakistan wins Everyone is united in that the cricketer addedWith ANI Inputs