The India vs Pakistan ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 was a highly anticipated match, but it turned out to be a one-sided affair with India emerging as the clear winners. Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, took two wickets each, restricting Pakistan to a total of 191 runs. The Indian batsmen, led by Rohit Sharma, chased down the target without any major hurdles.
The match took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which was filled with blue jerseys of Indian supporters. After the match, Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur commented that playing in such an atmosphere made it feel like a ‘BCCI event’ rather than an ICC event. He stated that he didn’t hear the popular Pakistani anthem ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ playing often during the match. However, Arthur also acknowledged that the lack of support from the crowd couldn’t be used as an excuse for their heavy defeat against India.
Arthur’s remarks received attention from foreign journalists, who questioned whether such biased atmospheres should be allowed in World Cup matches. Arthur refrained from giving a direct response, stating that he didn’t want to get fined for his comments.
In response to Arthur’s comments, a BCCI official humorously remarked that there was no harm in playing ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’, but questioned when it would be appropriate to play it. He sarcastically suggested playing the song when Pakistan lost wickets or when Rohit Sharma hit a six, highlighting the absence of Pakistani fans in the stadium.
Arthur admitted that Pakistan didn’t play fearless cricket on the day and felt that they could have been more assertive. He acknowledged that they became a bit timid and retreated into their shells during the match.
Overall, it was a disappointing performance for Pakistan in the India vs Pakistan ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, while India celebrated a comprehensive victory.