The release of the promotional video for the 2023 ODI World Cup by the International Cricket Council (ICC) caused a stir on the internet, especially in the sub-continent region. The video featured Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and included fan reactions and moments from past World Cup matches, capturing the essence of the tournament.
However, the absence of Pakistan captain Babar Azam in the video did not go unnoticed, leading to criticism from former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. He expressed his frustration with the ICC for overlooking Babar Azam.
Shoaib Akhtar expressed his dissatisfaction with the promotional video of the 2023 ICC World Cup
Whoever thought that World Cup promo will be complete without Pakistan & Babar Azam's significant presence, has actually presented himself as a joke.
Come on guys, time to grow up a bit.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 22, 2023
The video, running for two minutes and thirteen seconds, showcased iconic World Cup moments, including MS Dhoni’s memorable six that secured India’s victory in the 2011 edition. It also featured a star-studded lineup of Indian cricketers, such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Dinesh Karthik, and Shubman Gill.
Additionally, there were guest appearances from cricketing legends like Eoin Morgan, the 2019 World Cup-winning England captain, former South African player Jonty Rhodes, and Sri Lanka’s spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. While the video did include moments from the Pakistan cricket team’s World Cup journey, featuring players like Wahab Riaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi, it notably excluded Babar Azam, the current skipper.
Furthermore, it did not feature Pakistan’s historic World Cup win in 1992. Shoaib Akhtar took to Twitter to express his displeasure, calling out the ICC for the exclusion, stating, “Whoever thought that World Cup promo will be complete without Pakistan & Babar Azam’s significant presence, has actually presented himself as a joke. Come on guys, time to grow up a bit.”
The upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup is scheduled to begin on October 5, with the opening match between England and New Zealand, a rematch of the 2019 final, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in India. This event marks India’s return as hosts of the ODI World Cup since their victorious campaign in 2011, adding to their historic triumph in 1983.
However, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad, is expected to draw immense attention and excitement from cricket fans worldwide. As the tournament approaches, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the action on the field, while social media continues to buzz with discussions about the participating teams, players, and memorable moments from previous World Cups.
Despite the promotional video’s popularity, the ICC’s oversight in excluding Babar Azam has sparked debates and further piqued the interest of fans, adding to the anticipation of the upcoming cricketing extravaganza.
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