Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has come up with a big prediction with regard to 2023 ODI World Cup and Asia Cup 2023. Shoaib Akhtar believes that the Indian Team will definitely travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup which is scheduled to be played in the month of September.
India and Pakistan will play the Asia Cup final says Shoaib Akhtar
There is no clarity on whether Team India will travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 as BCCI had earlier revealed that they will not get government clearance to send the national side to Pakistan. Amidst all the controversy, Shoaib Akhtar was asked about Team India’s participation in the Asia Cup on Sports Today after which he came up with a bold statement.
“India and Pakistan will play the final in the Asia Cup and also in the World Cup. India will come to Pakistan (for Asia Cup) and Pakistan will also travel to India for the World Cup. I am very hopeful that things will improve between India and Pakistan, and trade will open. I urge people from both sides to spread positivity and close the gap instead of burning bridges,” Akhtar told Sports Today.
Meanwhile, the former pacer is also wishing to see an India vs Pakistan final in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“I want to take revenge for the 2011 World Cup, I hadn’t played in that match. I want to watch India vs Pakistan final in Wankhede or Ahmedabad, wherever it happens in India. I will try my level best to watch the final,” he said.
Shoaib Akhtar on India-Pakistan cricket ties
While BCCI declared that they won’t get government clearance to feature in the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, some former Pakistan players wanted Pakistan to pull out from the 2023 ODI World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the months of October-November later this year.
“BCCI and PCB have nothing in their own hands. They can’t do anything without asking their governments (in the case of bilateral series and travel). So there is no point in giving statements. Both sides should stop giving statements. When things improve between the governments, they talk, and things will improve, the former pacer told Sports Today.
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It’s worth noting that the two teams haven’t played any bilateral series against each other since Pakistan’s 2012-13 tour of India. Cricket fans get a chance to watch an India vs Pakistan game only in ICC events and they’ll hope to see their favourite teams contest against each other both in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.