Ahead of the prestigious ODI World Cup, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar claims that Pakistan will take revenge on India for their semifinal defeat in the 2011 World Cup. Speaking during the press conference organised by official broadcasters, Akhtar said that Pakistan will beat India to win the World Cup in Ahmedabad.
He says, “We will avenge the 2011 World Cup defeat and win the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad. We are already visualising it”. He also said that the Pakistani team will face less pressure than India during the multilateral tournament in October and November because of the Indian media. Akhtar said that Indian media hypes the India vs. Pakistan game as the War of the Mahabharata.
“The Indian media will put an incredible amount of pressure on Pakistan; they will build it up like the Mahabharata. That is an uncalled-for amount of pressure to have ahead of the game. They will say that India will defeat Pakistan with ease, and that is where things will turn topsy-turvy. Rohit Sharma and India are going to face a lot of pressure because of that because they will already be portrayed as the winners. Pakistan will be under no pressure because the media will expect them to lose,” he said.
India will face Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium
Furthermore, Akhtar draws attention to the massive viewership expected when India faces Pakistan in the World Cup. He points out that India boasts stadiums with capacities exceeding 50,000 spectators, anticipating that a staggering 2 billion people will tune in to watch this high-stakes encounter.
It’s important to note that the clash between India and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup is scheduled for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Prior to this, the two arch-rivals will meet in a Super 4 game of the Asia Cup 2023 on September 10 at the Colombo International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. India will also host the ODI World Cup from October 5 to November 19, with matches taking place across 12 venues.
Here is how fans reacted to Shoaib Akhtar’s statement:
Jab tumhare bade bade players hi sapne dekh rahe h to tum log to dekhoge hi. Sahi h dekhte raho. Sapne dekhne me koi dikkat nahi h.
— The Right Wing Guy (@meetbeniwal999) September 7, 2023
Don't take him seriously but yes, this is what's going to happen inshaAllah. Can't wait to see how jay shah is going to make it rain there ???
— The Second Act (@WahSaeenWah) September 7, 2023
Tension na lo hojayga Shoaib bhai?
— Geralt OF Rivia ? (@Maihun_mexy) September 7, 2023
Tension hai unhe q ki unse to nhi ho paya ?
— Cricbaaz Harry (@Cricbaazharry) September 8, 2023
Shoaib and his team were not good enough so all he can do now is dream for someone else to do it. As for the end result only time will tell ?
— Men in Blue (@InsightEdge_) September 8, 2023
Ha Chehra Bata raha he Future ?????
— Ketan Agrawal (@goluag88881) September 7, 2023
Karte to har bar ho par kya faida. 2015 or 2019 me bhi kiya hoga par kya hua.
— The Right Wing Guy (@meetbeniwal999) September 7, 2023
Pakistan is a favorite for the final match
— Kasem (@CallMeQuraishi) September 7, 2023
Yes, he is right, what India does to us, what always happens to Pakistan, Pakistan should win the World Cup and make its name proud.
— S????? (@OyeShaani) September 7, 2023
Revenge?? pic.twitter.com/5K01wsxPwl
— Kim Jong Un (parody) (@kimjongun69X) September 8, 2023
Indian on Shoiab Akhtar ??#AsiaCup2023 #ViratKohli? pic.twitter.com/X2lU4QwEwB
— Dr. Aditi (@aditisinghSA) September 7, 2023
