They said what?! Pakistan vs India rivalry in quotes
“There is no fear, he is not a jin-bhoot [ghost]”, Younis Khan about Sachin Tendulkar
June 04, 2017
Pakistan vs India encounters are not just a battle between cricketing skills of the two nations. The tough contest extends beyond the pitch to encompass the psyche of individual players and how best they can cope with the extreme mental pressure that the high-voltage clash brings.
Here is a look back at Pakistan vs India matches over the years through the words of some of the key people involved in the historic encounters:
“I am getting back my swing and my line and length are getting better day by day”
Paceman Mohammad Amir on his preparations for the Pakistan vs India clash at Champions Trophy 2017.
“We are not going to England just to beat India but our prime target is to win the Champions Trophy”
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq ahead of departure to England for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
"India will beat Pakistan again in Champions Trophy"
Former skipper Sourav Ganguly on India’s chances against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy clash on June 4, 2017.
“Contrary to popular belief, India and Pakistan players get along very well. Of course, there are exceptions like Gautam Gambhir, who dare I say isn’t the friendliest”
Former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi in his May 4, 2017 column for ICC website about the relations between rival players.
“Virat Kohli is becoming like a wall in the Indian team. Earlier, it used to be Sachin Tendulkar who won matches for India and now it is Kohli who is playing that role”
Shahid Afridi after Pakistan crashed out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2016.
“An occasion such as this can make you a hero or a zero, and an India-Pakistan match is all about the expectations”
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq ahead of the World T20 2016 match between Pakistan and India.
"Dhoni is a big stabilising force for India and his return means that Pakistan will have to work much harder to get that win over India"
Misbah ahead of Pakistan vs India clash in 2014 World T20
“Junaid Khan with the ball is like Virat Kohli with the bat”
Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle on Junaid Khan’s performance during Pakistan tour to India 2012-13.
“While fielding, I saw Tendulkar's legs shivering while facing his bowling”
Shahid Afridi backs Shoaib Akhtar's claim that Sachin Tendulkar was uncomfortable while batting against him in 2011.
“They have not come here on holiday”
Shahid Afridi on being asked whether youngsters like Asad Shafiq and Umar Amin will face a tough test during Asia Cup 2010.
“There is no fear, he is not a jin-bhoot [ghost]”
Younis Khan may be afraid of the supernatural but he has no fear of Sachin Tendulkar in 2009.
“We're all used to playing in pain, and the motivation has to be there to get up and play for the country. I am not 100%, it will hamper my fielding and if I get hit I will be in pain but the big picture is, why not come out and do something like Sachin [Tendulkar] did in 2003, something for my country which they will remember me for ages”
Younis Khan is willing to push his body to the limit in the Pakistan vs India fixture in ICC Champions Trophy 2009.
"And anyway, you can't fight 60,000-70,000 people"
Inzamam-ul-Haq says matter-of-factly after the Ahmedabad crowd in India reportedly greeted him with 'aloo' chants in 2008.
"Every series has its charm and even India-Australia has such charm. But you can't really beat the rivalry that India-Pakistan has"
Indian coach and spin legend Anil Kumble ahead of the most-hyped series of the year (2008).
"Whenever I am out of form, I get to play against India and I regain my form"
Younis Khan after his 71* led Pakistan to victory in the 1st ODI at Abu Dhabi, 2006.
"We will try and pull the chain and stop the train midway"
Sourav Ganguly when asked how his team planned to counter Shoaib Akhtar, the "Rawalpindi Express" during India tour to Pakistan in 2004.
The writer is a producer at Geo.TV and tweets @Mariaa_54
