IND Vs PAK: Storm Awaits In Ahmedabad, Arch-Rivals Meet (image-instagram,twitter/bcci,threalpcb)
Ever since the beginning of the tournament, no buzz has ever gripped the city like the one which prevails now. Fans all over the world has been eagerly waiting for this particular day on which the archnemesis will lock horns in the field of Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad on October 14th.
On Saturday, for the first time in seven years, the two rivals will play each other on Indian soil in the opening stages of Cricket World Cup, hosted by India. It was in 2016, Pakistan toured to India for the game.
The match on 14th will not be all about just making runs and taking wickets, this match will bring over 1.6 billion people spread across the subcontinent, once divided by British colonial rulers under one roof.
Last month when Pakistan arrived in the city of Hyderabad, they were received with rapturous applause from Indians waiting for the arrival of their star players in the airport.
The initial batch of tickets were sold out within an hour of release in August and thus the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to release an additional 14,000 tickets earlier this month, reports Time of India.
On Saturday, TV screens will be all lit up in all the houses in both the countries and in coffee shops, towns, clubs, as millions tune in for the game. Fans desperate to watch the match have even booked beds in the city hospital wards after hotels ran out of rooms.
Pakistan has already begun World Cup campaign creating magic on the fields. They were able to pull off the highest successful run chase against Sri Lanka in their last match. Both the countries were able to put up an amazing win in their first two matches, setting the stages for an exciting showdown.
However, Babar Azam’s boys are on the hunt for their first ever World Cup win over India in the Saturday”s blockbuster match. While, India begun its World Cup campaign as the top-ranked ODI team and has lived up to the billing of tournament favorites with a six-wicket win over five-time winners Australia.
Though Pakistan has never won against India in the World Cup in their seven outings since 1992, top ranked ODI batsman Azam is yet to fire on Saturdays match. While Skipper Rohit Sharma is all fresh smashing a record seventh World Cup century on Wednesday against Afghanistan.
Though India lags behind Pakistan in their overall ODI head-to-heads with 56 wins and 73 losses but have clearly been the stronger team in recent meetings.
