World Cup 2023: Excitement grows for the Pak vs India showdown in Ahmedabad

WEB DESK: Anticipation is tangible in Ahmedabad as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the much-anticipated Pak vs India in a World Cup competition at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket arena, on Saturday.

The showdown marks a historic occasion, with Pakistan and India facing off in a one-day international (ODI) on Indian soil after a decade. The last bilateral encounter between the two nations resulted in a thrilling 2-1 victory for Pakistan.

Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are expected to tune in to witness the spectacle of this intense rivalry at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium. Both teams come into the match with victories in their opening fixtures, with India triumphing over Australia and Afghanistan, and Pakistan securing a record-setting win against the Netherlands.

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The city of Ahmedabad is in the throes of cricket fever, with over 100,000 fans, including celebrities, anticipated to fill the colossal stadium. Despite Pakistan’s past World Cup encounters against India ending in defeats, Captain Babar Azam exudes confidence, aiming to break the India jinx this time.

“I don’t focus on the past. Let’s focus on what’s to come, as we know records are meant to be broken,” stated Captain Babar Azam during a press conference, addressing India’s 7-0 winning streak against Pakistan.

Acknowledging the massive crowd support for India, Azam added, “It’s not pressure. We have played at big stadiums like at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). But, yes, all the support in Ahmedabad will be for India. It would have been better had Pakistan fans been allowed.”

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma downplayed the hype surrounding the Pak vs India, emphasising that his team would approach it like any other game.

“We’d treat this match just like we treated the previous two matches and how we’d treat our remaining matches. No more, no less,” remarked Sharma.

As the cricketing world braces for the historic clash, the expected playing XIs include key players like Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan, while India will feature stars such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. The stage is set for a riveting encounter that promises to be a highlight of the tournament.