NEWS
Follow UsCanada skipper Saad Bin Zafar admitted that it’s a ‘dream come true’ moment for he and his teammates to be representing Canada in a World Cup, and insisted that his side will do everything they can to ensure they play to their potential.
Canada have been part of four 50-over World Cups — 1979, 2003, 2007 & 2011 — but June 1 (Saturday) will mark their debut in T20 World Cups. It’s a historic moment for the side, who have been playing T20Is since 2008.
With Canada being the lowest ranked of all teams participating in this T20WC, their skipper Saad claimed that the absence of pressure will embolden his side to play an entertaining brand of cricket.
“We have finally made it. We’re finally here," Saad said on the eve of the USA clash.
“Everybody's excited. Everybody's itching to go. Everybody's in the performance mood. I think we are ready to go and play some quality cricket in the next few weeks.
“We don't have a lot of pressure on our shoulders. I think we just want to go and express ourselves and play to our potential. That's the brand of cricket that we're looking to play.”
It’s a rare opportunity to shine on a big stage for Canada, who since 2020 have just played five tournaments overall, with the recently-concluded five-match series against USA being the only bilateral series in the list.
Saad asserted that the forthcoming T20WC will be an ‘emotional’ one for his side, who seldom get to showcase the talent and the potential they have.
"(The) World Cup is that only stage where we get to compete and test our skills against the very best of the world," Saad said.
“I believe we're going to have a really good and really tough competition, and I believe both teams will entertain the crowd.
"It's kind of emotional, but we were looking for this opportunity. We finally got it. And we just want to represent Canada well and play to our potential.
Canada will open their T20WC 2024 campaign against USA in Dallas on June 1 (Saturday).
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