Some says they treat it as any other game; some say the pressure to perform motivates them while for a few it is a case of everything or nothing when India and Pakistan lock horns. In our build to the big game at the Eden Gardens, we have heard senior pros Harbhajan Singh & Ashish Nehra (please hyperlink) talk about the age old rivalry and their memories of matches they have been a part of. In a kind of firsts, BCCI.TV decided to look at the other side of the spectrum and asked one of Pakistan’s most experienced batsmen Shoaib Malik as to how he feels to be a part of the epic clash, his memories of the rivalry and how fans in Pakistan react to an India-Pakistan game. “I remember the first time I played a game against India, it was in the later half of 1999,” Malik begins to talk. “I was new in the team and you really don’t think about pressure, for me it was just another international game and I wanted to do well. There were so many great players in that team. It was a great opportunity I got and that too getting a gane against India was huge. I just wanted to do well for the team at that time.” Malik still remembers one particular game that is etched in his minds and will remain with him forever. “I still remember one game playing in Kolkata and that was in 2004-05. Inzamam ul-Haq was the captain of the side. India batted first and they scored 290-odd runs. I remember fielding there and the noise was similar to a Formula 1 race circuit.” But how did a young Malik cope with that kind of pressure? Has the vibe around the rivalry changed over the years? “If you are playing against India it is a huge opportunity for you. If you do well against India you become a superstar suddenly,” answer Malik. “You get that feeling to do well for your side and that is how the pressure comes in - in a good way. I think the difference between a performer and a non-performer is the way you handle that pressure. I would always take it as any other game and let my game do the talking. Right now, being a senior cricketer, the pressure comes on you because you have been in that stage before and there are a lot of expectations. The whole nation is expecting a win from the team and the pressure is bound to come on the seniors. They have to deliver and perform. “Against India, my performance has been exceptional so far and I just tell myself that - I have a bat and I have a ball and I will try to excel when I have both of them in my hands. These are the only things that I have in my mind while playing.” The contest and the stage is huge. Expectations are bound to be high from fans and enthusiasts likewise. How does India react to an India-Pakistan game is known, but how do fans react to the occasion back in Pakistan? Malik gave a peek into it with a glint of smile on his face.

“Pakistan fans just want to see us beat India. They are fine if we lose against any other side but India. People from India feel the same, but it is all because of the love of the fans. We speak the same language, we eat same food and the nature is similar too. When it comes to cricket, Pakistan wants to beat India and India wants to beat Pakistan. That is healthy competition.” Pakistan are now back in the iconic Eden Gardens with a hope to better their record against India. They are yet to win a game in an ICC event and Malik believes his side has all the makings to create some waves at Eden. “We are back in Kolkata playing against India in a crucial encounter in a World T20 stage. We know we have never won a game against India in World Cups,” smiles Malik. “But, India have to win after losing their first game against New Zealand. It is a very critical game and we as a team want to put an end to the tradition of not having won against India in World Cups. Preparations wise, only the tactics part change, because you are playing a different opposition. You do change little things but not the basics. We all know that India have got a very good batting line-up and have done very well in the past against us. It is going to be a great battle between two good teams.”