India and Pakistan are scheduled to cross swords in at least ODIs in 2023. The number can increase to as many as five matches if both Men in Blue and Men in Green manage to qualify for the 2023 Asia Cup final and the semi-final or final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Fans are already licking their lips in anticipation of watching the two arch-rivals reignite their fierce rivalry on the ground. Ahead of the Asia Cup, India captain Rohit Sharma was quizzed about the "toughest Pakistan pacer" during an event in the U.S. and the Hitman came up with a hilarious response.
The Indian skipper denied to answer the question and said if he decides to name one then the other bowlers get offended. Rohit's wife Ritika Sajdeh, who was sitting in audience, couldn't control her laughter after hearing Rohit's comedic response to the question.
“Pakistan team mein sab ache hai. Mai kisi ka naam nahi loonga. Bada bada controversy hota hai (All the pacers in Pakistan team are equally good. I will not going to pick any individual. It creates big controversy),” said Rohit, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Watch the video here:
“Ek ka naam lete hai toh doosre ko acha nahi lagta. Doosre ka lete hai toh teesre ko acha nahi lagta. Saare hi ache hai (If I will take one player’s name, the second will feel bad. If I will takr second players’s name, then the third will feel bad. I think all of them are good),” he added.
Six teams- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, UAE and Nepal are gearing up to fancy their chances at the coveted Asia Cup title. The tournament kicks off on August 30 and India will begin their campaign on September 2 against arch-rivals Pakistan at Kandy before playing Nepal on September 4 at the same venue.
As per the format, the six teams will be divided into two groups with each group having three teams each. The top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super Four stage. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then cross swords in the title clash. In case India and Pakistan both qualify for the Super Fours, the arch-rivals will once again cross swords on September 10 in Candy, Sri Lanka.
A total of 13 matches will be played in the tournament. The 2023 Asia Cup will be played in a 50-over format and will serve as a preparation ground for the ODI World Cup which is scheduled to take place later in the year.
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