Tens of millions of sports fans in south Asia and the rest of the cricket world will have their eyes and ears focused on one thing Saturday — the much-anticipated World Cup match between hosts India and regional rival Pakistan. Pakistan is in India for the first time since the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup hosted in India.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma celebrates his century during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match between Afghanistan and India in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam attends a practice session ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup match against India in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. India and Pakistan will play their World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Pakistan played both its opening fixtures in Hyderabad — beating the Netherlands in the first game by 81 runs and Sri Lanka by six wickets, thanks to aSpectator attendance has been a big talking point across this tournament, with half-empty stands being an obvious eyesore. Saturday won’t have that problem — the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to attract a crowd of more than 100,000.
“I will be playing my first ODI at home ground, which really excites me,” said Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, looking ahead to the marquee clash. “The atmosphere is going to be exciting — there are a lot of people expected to come in. It is going to be a sight to see. We are hoping to play our best there.”
India will also toy with the idea of bringing back off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for Saturday’s game. Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur had played against Afghanistan instead, but the Ahmedabad pitch will be on the slower side in comparison with Delhi’s batting beauty. It again makes a case for Ashwin, who returned 1-34 in 10 overs against Australia at Chennai.
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