Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar feels that it would be difficult for Pakistan to beat the Indian team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The mega-event will take place in Australia later this year. India will be taking on their arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23, Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan registered a historic victory against India. They defeated their neighbors by 10 wickets in their opening clash of the tournament. This was Pakistan’s first win over India in any of the ICC events. The two teams will again square off against each other in their respective opening clashes of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has expressed that after a dismal performance last year, India will be up for the challenge this time. He added that it is difficult to predict the result of the match, but advised Pakistan to bowl second at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“India will come up with proper planning this time around. It will not be easy for Pakistan to beat India in T20 WC this time. Predicting match results now is quite difficult but Pakistan should bowl second as [the] pitch in Melbourne offers bounce to fast bowlers,” he said.
Fixtures of T20 World Cup 2022 have been announced. India placed alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh & two qualifiers in Group 2 of Super 12 stage. India will square off against Pakistan in their first match of the tournament on October 23 at the MCG pic.twitter.com/M4QMuMaDOq
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2022
The crowd will be bigger this time: Shoaib Akhtar
India vs Pakistan has always been a very popular and much-awaited clash for cricket fans. It also brings a lot of pressure on the players, as the match for the players attracts a huge crowd in the stands. With the India-Pakistan rivalry all set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Shoaib Akhtar expects the crowd to be bigger this time.
“I believe the crowd will be bigger this time. Around 150,000 fans will watch the match line in Melbourne. Out of which, 70,000 will be Indian supporters,” said Shoaib Akhtar.
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