India will be under pressure, Pakistan can play at any venue
The time may change, but the location does not. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the India-Pakistan World Cup game. But Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was more worried about this ground before finalizing the schedule.
Those who are worried about Pakistan playing in the western city of India can be reassured by Wasim Akram’s words. The captain who led Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup feels that there is nothing to fear about the venue. At the root of Pakistan’s anxiety about Ahmedabad is the fear of a hostile audience reaction there. In contrast, the pressure on Babar Azam is expected to be less in South and Southeast Indian fields. According to Wasim, India will be under pressure if they play the World Cup on home soil.
The pressure of playing the World Cup in front of a home crowd is always there. But the pressure of Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli is a little more this time. India has not won an ICC tournament since the Champions Trophy in 2013. The 2015 and 2019 World Cups started well but got stuck in the semi-finals. This time the semi-final – there is the challenge of overcoming obstacles and winning the title, along with the challenge of playing against Pakistan at home after 7 years.
The Indian team last played at home against Pakistan in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Earlier the two teams met in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali. Akram feels that Rohit will be under more pressure to win the challenge of showing excellence against Pakistan at another World Cup stage after a long time.
In an interview given to Australia’s Radio Hanji, the legendary pacer, known as the ‘Sultan of Swing’, said, ‘There are some difficulties in playing at home. India won the 2011 World Cup, but there is always the added pressure of playing at home. But it is the same in Pakistan. There would have been pressure if it was the organizer.
Akram feels that this pressure of playing at home will hold India back a bit, and the venue will not be a problem for the Pakistanis. I will play Be it Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, or Mumbai wherever. The venue will not affect the players. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
The 13th edition of the ODI World Cup in India will begin on October 5. According to the schedule published in the last week of June, the India-Pakistan league match is scheduled to be played on October 15. Although the match is rumored to come a day ahead.
The pressurre of playing the World Cup in front of a home crowd is always there. But the pressurre of Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli is a little more this time. India has not won an ICC tournamant since the Champions Trophy in 2013. The 2015 and 2019 World Cups started well but got stuck in the semi-finaals. This time the semi-final – there is the challenge of overcoming obstacles and winning the title, along with the challenge of playiing against Pakistan at home after 7 years.
The Indian team last plaayed at home against Pakistan in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Earliier the two teams met in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali. Akram feels that Rohit will be under more pressure to win the challange of showing excellence against Pakistan at another World Cup stage after a long time.