Cricket enthusiasts across the globe are eagerly anticipating the marquee clash between the two Asian cricketing giants, India and Pakistan in the 2023 edition of the ODI Cricket World Cup. The squads are all set to clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Hence, this is the opportune time to delve into the legacies of both teams at the ODI Cricket World Cup.
The city of Ahmedabad is quite right now, but come Saturday all this is set to change. Huge crowds are expected by the local authorities and the Gujarat Cricket Association. With reports of people even booking hospital beds due to the non-availability of hotel rooms and the match ticket prices touching millions of rupees.
Here’s a quick comparison of how the two teams have fared in ODI World Cup history:
| INDIA | PAKISTAN | |
|---|---|---|
| PLAYED | 86 | 81 |
| WON | 55 | 47 |
| LOST | 29 | 32 |
| TIED | 1 | 0 |
| N/R | 1 | 2 |
| WIN % | 65.29 | 59.49 |
Both the squads have displayed their impressive form thus far, with both emerging victorious in a couple of games they have played in the tournament. Hence, further fueling the excitement.
India led by their explosive batter, Rohit Sharma commands a formidable batting lineup with the likes of Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan/Shubman Gill, and the resurgent KL Rahul, to name a few. The Indian bowling attack is all set to be led by quickie Jasprit Bumrah with Md. Siraj, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur further bolstered the pace attack. Yet, the Indian bowling looks quite well balanced with veteran R Ashwin, tricky Kuldeep Yadav, and the overall package in the form of Ravindra Jadeja giving much-needed assistance with spin. So, it is safe to say that skipper Rohit Sharma would be spoilt for choices.
Pakistan, under the leadership of Babar Azam, leads a formidable side capable of turning the tides of the game. Babar would lead the batting onslaught with the assistance of his famed compatriots Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and wicketkeeper-batter Md. Rizwan. The stingy Pakistani bowling would be spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi with quickie Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali; along with spin assistance from all-rounders Md. Nawaz and Shadab Khan
Any clash between the two cricketing giants is highly anticipated and brings in the big bucks. It is only normal that the tension is palpable with nerves running high among the fans whose fingers must be crossed, anticipating that their team comes out victorious at the end of this historic clash of the titans.
In yesterday’s, South Africa and Australia clash, the otherwise formidable Aussies sunk under the explosive ton scored by Quinton de Kock. South Africa posted a challenging total of 311 for a loss of 7 wickets. But the Australians were wrapped up for just 177 runs by the South African bowling attack led by pacer Kagiso Rabada (3 for 33).
South Africa now leads the points table, followed by New Zealand, India, and Pakistan, in the given order.