Arguably the biggest cricketing contest in the world is set to unfold at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as India and Pakistan square off in the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Saturday. Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar summed up what the contest means for the players, declaring that this match is ‘not for the faint-hearted’.
“If you are brave enough, you will enjoy the contest. If you are a coward…, this contest is not for the faint-hearted,” said Akhtar.
Akhtar explained why Pakistan wouldn’t be in as much pressure to deliver as the Indian team, stating that painting the Indian team as favorites actually helps Pakistan.
“The last year I was in Dubai, I was doing a show with a channel. They painted everything blue and were talking about one thing, Team India is going to crush Pakistan. Who builds that sort of pressure? When you make us the underdogs, our pressure is over,” he said.
Akhtar backed Babar Azam’s men to beat India in their own home and emerge victorious from the World Cup. “I also believe it would be easy for Pakistan to go there and beat India because it’s your TV right, your sponsorship, you are stuck, not us. Babar Azam & Co. should play aggressively and sensibly. It’s the Indian wickets, you’ll win. You beat India, play the final in Ahmedabad, I am with you,” he opined.