Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s team director and head coach, believes that although India vs Pakistan on October 15 in Ahmedabad may be significant from the standpoint of supporters on both sides of the border. But it is not the “be all and end all” in terms of cricket.
Arthur is aware of the excitement surrounding the match, but to him, it will be no different from any other game in which one can win or lose by two points.
“I don’t think Pakistan and India is the be all of the World Cup,” Arthur told ‘Cricket Baaz’, a YouTube channel.
“From a fan’s perspective, from the viewpoint of the emotions and relations between the two countries, one can understand the interest it generates and emotions that go with it. But from a cricket point of view I think it will be about doing well against all teams if you want to win the World Cup,” the South African added.
Arthur was determined to minimise the pressure factor, and he has already begun playing mind games by claiming that India would be under strain.
“The Indian team will have very high expectations at the World Cup. They are a strong team, and how well they play will depend on how well they handle the pressure of playing at home, he said.
As for the game, Arthur said he was eager to watch how Pakistan will handle the pressure.
India vs Pakistan: An Overview
Seven prior encounters between India and Pakistan took place in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
Since that first game in 1992, they have only not played each other once, in 2007, which was a dreadful season for both teams as they were eliminated from the tournament in the first round.
India has won each of the previous seven matches, a streak that until recently included the T20 World Cups as well.
That streak was ended in 2021, but India quickly regained the title with a spectacular triumph in the 2022 match at the MCG thanks to a thrilling chase and a great performance by Virat Kohli.
The most recent 50-over World Cup match between these two teams took place at Old Trafford in 2019 with India amassing a huge 336/5 thanks to an outstanding 140 by Rohit Sharma off just 113 balls.
Then, in a match plagued by rain that India won by 89 runs (DLS method), excellent bowling helped keep Pakistan to just 212/6.
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