Wasim Akram, a legendary bowler for Pakistan, stated on Sunday that the forthcoming Asia Cup will test how well-prepared the subcontinental bowlers are for 50-over cricket before the ODI World Cup. He declined to designate any favorites for the competition. As the Asia Cup gets underway on Wednesday in Multan with Pakistan playing Nepal, all eyes will be on the epic matchup between India and Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy. The Pakistani legend has given a dangerous verdict about the match. Scroll down to read Wasim Akram’s ‘Dangerous’ Verdict On Asia Cup 2023.
Wasim Akram’s ‘Dangerous’ Verdict On Asia Cup 2023
Akram told reporters at an event for the tournament’s sponsor, “We will determine whether the bowlers can deliver 10 overs or not, be it for India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka. Today, they are all accustomed to bowling four overs (per game).”
After being run in a T20 version last year, the competition will return to a 50-over format in this year, and Akram welcomed the switch. According to Wasim Akram, the 50-over Asia Cup is a wonderful concept because the World Cup will follow it. All teams will face challenges based on physical requirements and game strategies.
He remarked, “It is not a one-time event where you can go to the semifinals after winning one game. To succeed, you must win games. You must approach it one game at a time. Additionally, this tournament is a 50-over one rather than a T20 one, so a new attitude and level of fitness will be needed. The renowned pacer declined to pick a favorite but predicted a difficult road for all teams.”
Other teams are competing. Even India was unable to get to the championship game the last time Sri Lanka won.
Akram continued, “Last time, we expected Sri Lanka to defeat India in the championship game. All three teams are competitive, and anybody may win on any given day. India vs. Pakistan is very significant; we are aware of the tremendous fan support, attention, and following that both sides receive. But since other teams are also there, you cannot exclude Bangladesh or Sri Lanka from the game.”
According to Akram, India has a balanced team for the Asia Cup
“I believe they are experimenting with new players, particularly in the T20 format, as well as a new skipper. They have a well-rounded team. But no team, even India, would find it simple,” he remarked.
Akram played it carefully when asked if Pakistan might have taken a strong stance against India for not visiting the adjacent country for the Asia Cup.
He declared, “The Pakistani government has approved the Pakistan (team’s) visit to India. I have consistently believed and argued that politics and sports should be kept apart. Human interaction is crucial, and the typical Indian and Pakistani people appreciate one another. I hope sanity ultimately wins out. Akram, who finished with 502 wickets in ODIs, called the Asia Cup the “second biggest tournament” in the globe.”
“It is the second-largest competition on the cricketing calendar. The World Cups and the Asia Cup are two titanic competitions… What a triumph there was, two heavyweights, India and Pakistan followed by Sri Lanka, the former Asia Cup champions. The players from all six nations are eager to be seen. This competition serves as a warm-up for the World Cup.”
