KARACHI: Pakistan great Wasim Akram shared a piece of advice regarding the national cricket team’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, scheduled to commence on October 5.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, while speaking at a private ceremony here, opined that the national side should play their World Cup matches as scheduled on the announced venues.
“Pakistan should play wherever their matches are scheduled. Playing at any venue should not be an issue,” opined Wasim Akram.
He further backed his opinion by citing his experience of touring India as a player and as a commentator.
“I have had a good experience as a commentator and a former player in India. Anyone who travels to India, be it an actor or a sportsperson, gets a good response,” shared Akram.
Wasim Akram then once again expressed his belief in the current team’s ability to foster in the upcoming World Cup and claimed that the Indian conditions would also favour them.
“Pakistan team is talented enough to progress ahead into the tournament. We are also well aware of the playing conditions in India,” Akram stated.
Akram then also lauded Babar Azam’s captaincy skills and also urged cricket fans to let the latter enjoy it.
“There is no problem with Babar Azam’s captaincy. Let him enjoy it,” he said.
Legendary pacer Wasim Akram also spoke highly of Pakistan’s ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi and termed him a world-class bowler.
“Shaheen Afridi is still young. The more he plays the more it will benefit him and I think, he is a world-class bowler,” stated Akram.
It is worth mentioning here that the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the anticipated schedule of the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 earlier today.
As per the ICC-released schedule, a total of 10 teams will participate in the mega event – featuring 45 matches – and compete for the prestigious silverware across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19.
Like the previous edition, the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 will also be played in a round-robin format – each team playing nine matches with the rest of the opponents.
The top four teams by the end of the group stage will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled to be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16.
Whereas, the final of the tournament will take place on November 19 at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Notably, all three knockout matches of the ICC Men’s World Cup will have a reserve day.
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