Pressure is on India at World T20, time to change history: Waqar Younis

Kolkata, March 18: History may be against them but Pakistan coach Waqar Younis today (March 18) said the time is perfect to rewrite it given that the Indian team is under pressure after losing its opening match of the ICC World T20.

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Pakistan have never beaten their arch-rivals in an ICC World event with India having won six times in the ODI World Cup and four times in World Twenty20. (10 facts about the game)

"No doubt history does not favour us but it's not that it cannot be changed. History also changes," said Younis on the eve the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan here.

"This time we are a bit more confident. One bad game and they (Indians) can go out of the tournament. Pressure is on India. It's a plus for us. There's a lot of things going in our favour," the coach said here. (No pressure on us: Ashwin)

Stressing that the heat is on India, Younis said: "Such discussions around the game creates hype and builds pressure. We all are aware of this. This is for the first time Indians are under more pressure. It's a big tournament. I've been a cricketer for so many years and I don't think there would be any team who's not under pressure at this position. I'm sure they're feeling the heat."

Younis said that his team's winning start against Bangladesh in their World Twenty20 opener gives them an edge. ('Ind-Pak rivalry bigger than Ashes')

"That's the advantage you will get. It's a huge worry for them (India) as it has added pressure on them. The monkey on our back is off now," the 44-year-old insisted.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have an all-win record against India in four ODIs played here at the Eden gardens and Younis hoped to carry that record into the T20 as well.

"Kolkata has always been kind to us. Not only on the field but off the field. History also suggests we are a better side here," he said.

Younis, however, tried to play down the hype over the match, saying it's just a sport. "First of all, let us take it as sport. Yes, we have a sporting history in rivalry," he said.

PTI