Refusing to give importance to the fanfare building around it, former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik believes that India vs Pakistan is just another game.
The arch cricket rivals are set to clash for the first time since Champions Trophy final in 2017.
Malik further claimed that the hype “adds unnecessary pressure”.
However, the all-rounder believes that the India-Pakistan clash provides the perfect opportunity for players to emerge as stars.
“I think that the match against India is just another game and we should avoid creating hype as it adds unnecessary pressure,” Shoaib Malik was quoted by the ICC.
“This is perhaps the only cricket match that the entire cricket fraternity watches and not only India and Pakistan fans, which is why it provides a massive opportunity to players if they want to become a hero,” Malik added.
Talking about how the venue (Dubai) can be an advantage for Pakistan, Malik said, “Playing in UAE gives us an advantage but it is not as easy as people think it is. If you notice our track record here, it is better in Test cricket but when it comes to playing the shorter formats our performances aren’t extraordinary. People need to understand that batting under lights here is difficult as conditions are different but that does not mean there isn’t room for improvement. We will continue working to improve in this particular area.”
Shoaib Malik has an impressive record against India. He has scored four out of his nine tons against India.