India skipper Virat Kohli might have said that his team’s first game in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy against arch-rivals Pakistan will be just like another game but Irfan Pathan feels the Indo-Pak clashes are the mother of all clashes before expressing his excitement over being a part of the team that won matches against Pakistan in the past.
The discarded pacer, who had taken a sensational hat-trick in a Test during the 2006 tour of Pakistan, said that Virat Kohli’s men will be also excited to win against the bitter rivals.
“India-Pakistan is the mother of all matches. It’s fantastic to be part of these matches against Pakistan. I have been part of many as well. Winning against Pakistan is very special. It’s always been close to my heart when I won against them for my country. I am sure the team would be feeling the same and maybe more and we are doing well against them. The way we are playing only a few teams can beat us,” Irfan told India Today.
India will walk into the tournament as the defending champions and although Pathan hesitated in backing India to defend their title, he is confident of a good show from them.
“I don’t know about regaining the trophy but I think India will do well. It’s important for the bowlers to be fit and ready and that is the case. Our bowlers are ready with all the IPL action. When you keep playing cricket that’s what matters irrespective of the format. The bowlers that are going to England are in good form. Even as far as the conditions go, ICC will be looking at the pitches so they won’t be as seaming as they can be when you are playing bilaterally. It will support bowlers more than the batsmen but our bowlers will do well,” he said.
A protagonist of several Indo-Pak clashes, Pathan said the off the field issues between the countries do not affect the players’ mentality.
“The players treat it differently. They treat it as a match. Of course, back of the mind things do go on but we don’t let it come in front. We are sports people and have a different mindset altogether,” he said.
The arch- rivals have not played a full bilateral series in the last one decade or so due to political tensions and barring the short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.
Irfan also had a word of praise for Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
“I am pretty sure the kind of leader Virat is and with his captaincy skills he makes me really happy. He makes every member feel part of the team which is the way it should be. I am sure India is in safe hands and we will do very well,” the 32-year old said.