CENTURION, South Africa — Pressure will be the name of the game when Pakistan clash with arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy match here on Saturday.
"We have a balanced side, but it depends on the day how we handle pressure against a side like India. Whoever handles the pressure will win," Pakistan captain Younus Khan told reporters on the eve of the match.
"It will be a big game, but I want to take it as a normal game. When you put a lot of pressure on yourself, you collapse. At the moment, I will just try to motivate my boys that it is another game."
Younus, who returned to lead the side after missing the opening match against the West Indies due a finger injury, said he was lucky that his team had talented youngsters who knew nothing about pressure.
Pakistan were well-served by teenagers Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal in their five-wicket victory over an under-strength West Indies side.
While left-arm seamer Aamer grabbed three wickets, man-of-the-match Akmal scored an unbeaten 41.
"They (youngsters) don't know about the pressure and that's a good thing. When I was young I also had no fear. I am lucky I have players who don't know about pressure. That is a plus point," said Younus.
"Youngsters play for themselves and the country without pressure. I will not put pressure on them. This is a key thing."
Younus said he was keen to play in the big match despite not having recovered fully from the injury, suffered during a warm-up game.
"Maybe if it wasn't India I would've skipped this match. I had a fracture and could have skipped the matches against India and Australia, but these are big games," said the Pakistani captain.
"If you don't perform in a big tournament you have to face the consequences. I have been told to rest for four weeks, but I am looking at the big picture.
"Who knows I may perform tomorrow and that performance will be remembered because I played with a broken finger. If I score a hundred and become man of the match and win the match. That is the big picture."
Younus said he was ready to play through pain and perform for the country.
"I needed to motivate myself for this. Maybe an injection tomorrow and I might play in pain. We're all used to playing in pain. Self-motivation has to be there to get up and play for the country.
"I am not 100 per cent fit, but the big picture is why not come out and do something for the country which they will remember for ages."
Younus said his team needed a win not only against India, but also against other big teams.
"Not only against India, we also need a couple of good wins against Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa, like in the Twenty20 World Cup (in England this year) when we won it," said Younus.
"We're not fighting as it's sport. Myself and (India captain) Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be happy and calm."
Source: Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved
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