The bustling city of Ahmedabad pulsated with heightened anticipation when Babar Azam's Pakistan team reached Ahmedabad for the high-octane World Cup face off against India.
Pakistan team navigating through Ahmedabad's scorching heat and beefed up security, as they made their exit from the airport around 4 pm on Wednesday, escorted through a special VIP gate. Later, the Pakistan squad boarded a bus which drove them to their team hotel where they will put up and prepare for the blockbuster match.
Ahmedabad's administration isn't taking any chances with security. It has been learnt that there will be a deployment of over 11,000 personnel from various security agencies, including the Gujarat Police, National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF), and home guards ensuring the smooth conduct of this much-anticipated match on Saturday.
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As the two teams prepare to clash on Indian turf for the first time in seven years, almost every hotel and guest house is fully booked, anticipating an influx of over 40,000 fans from outside the city.
Meanwhile, India, fresh off their impressive victory over Afghanistan, are expected to arrive in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, adding to the mounting excitement. Notably, the Pakistan team hasn't played a match in Ahmedabad since 2012. In a surprise move, Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf also announced his visit to India to witness the high-voltage drama.
Pakistan are on a roll in ODI World Cup 2023. Their clinched a commanding victory over Sri Lanka in last World Cup clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The spectacular centuries by Abdullah Shafique and Mohammed Rizwan set the stage for Pakistan to accomplish the highest run chase in World Cup history. With an unbeaten 131 off 121 balls by Rizwan, Shafique's commendable 113, and a blistering performance by Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan managed to chase down the mammoth target of 344, sealing their win with 10 balls to spare. This iconic match went down in the annals of cricket history, featuring four centuries in a single men's World Cup game.
On the other hand, India have also notched back-to-back wins in the ongoing Word Cup. On Wednesday, India rode on Rohit Sharma's record-busting century to bulldoze Afghanistan by eight wickets to sit second on the points table, ahead of Pakistan, who are placed third.
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