On the eve of the colossal clash in the World Cup between age-old rivals Pakistan and India, scheduled for a high-voltage Saturday showdown in Ahmedabad, Green Shirts’ leader, Babar Azam, exuded confidence, asserting that the world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, doesn’t burden his team.
In a press conference held in Ahmedabad on Friday, Babar Azam’s unwavering faith in his team was evident as he discussed their most-awaited match against India. The grandeur of the world’s largest stadium doesn’t weigh on the players, he declared, emphasizing their commitment to delivering an outstanding performance.
The Men in Green, accustomed to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, face the challenge of adapting to the imposing Narendra Modi Stadium, which can host a staggering 132,000 spectators. This architectural marvel was constructed on a 50-acre parcel donated by the state government and was completed in a remarkable nine months.
Babar Azam emphasized the value of spending time in the stadium, enabling the team to understand the unique conditions. He acknowledged the differences in conditions that each city presents. Despite the stadium’s grand scale, Babar’s optimism about defeating India in this remarkable venue was resolute.
He also expressed a desire for Pakistani fans to be part of the T20 World Cup in India, though he hoped the Ahmedabad crowd would support the Men in Green, much as they did in Hyderabad.
In a strategic move, Pakistan’s Director of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, shared insights on how to conquer the World Cup hosts, a move that added to the anticipation surrounding the game. The Pakistani team, currently undergoing intense practice sessions, has fans eagerly awaiting Mohammad Rizwan’s performance. Rizwan, named Player of the Match in their last game against Sri Lanka, is putting in the extra effort to prepare for the upcoming clash.
One significant highlight is his focused practice against a left-arm wrist spinner, akin to India’s Kuldeep Yadav, honing his sweep and reverse sweep shots. This meticulous preparation takes into account Rizwan’s health issues during the 2021 T20.
With the match set to captivate fans, Ahmedabad police have taken proactive security measures, employing special drones for surveillance in a 5km radius around the stadium, ensuring a safe and exciting spectacle for cricket enthusiasts.
