In the lead-up to the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the ODI World Cup 2023, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar shared his insights on the dynamics of the game. Speaking at a Star Sports press conference ahead of the Asia Cup encounter between the two cricketing giants on September 10, Akhtar highlighted the intense pressure the host nation India will face, primarily from its own media.
The discussion revolved around the upcoming World Cup clash between the two teams, scheduled for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. When quizzed about the pressure on the Pakistan team and strategies to handle it, Akhtar responded with a perspective that shifted the spotlight to India.
He remarked, "Pakistan has the potential to clinch the ODI World Cup title if they play fearlessly. Every stadium in India boasts a capacity of no less than 50,000 spectators. The India-Pakistan World Cup match will undoubtedly attract a viewership of 2 billion globally," during the press conference facilitated by Star Sports.
Discussing the Pakistan team's dynamics, Akhtar mentioned, "With just 15 members in the squad, what Pakistan possesses is unity. It's crucial for them to instil confidence in one another throughout the competition."
However, Akhtar's most striking observation was about the pressure on the Indian team. He opined that the Indian media's portrayal of the team as invincible would inadvertently pile on the pressure. "The narrative set by the Indian media will be akin to the epic Mahabharata, suggesting an easy victory for India.
Such immense hype can be counterproductive. With the media already crowning them as victors, both Rohit Sharma and the Indian team will grapple with heightened expectations. In contrast, Pakistan will play with a free spirit, given the media's lower expectations from them," Akhtar elucidated.
Historically, in the World Cup tournaments over the last two years, both India and Pakistan have showcased competitive cricket. Pakistan emerged victorious against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, while India returned the favour in the 2022 edition. In a recent Asia Cup group-stage encounter, Pakistan's bowlers had the upper hand during the initial phase, restricting India to a commendable total of 266 runs. However, the match's outcome remained undecided as rain played spoilsport, washing out the second innings.
With such a backdrop, the upcoming ODI World Cup clash between these two cricketing powerhouses promises to be a riveting encounter, with both teams eager to stamp their authority.
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