Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has predicted an India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup as well as the World Cup, hoping that things will improve between the two neighbors.
Talking to Sports Today, the Rawalpindi Express predicted that India would come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and Pakistan would travel to India for the World Cup.
However, it is still not clear whether India will travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 in September. If they don’t, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened a pullout from the ODI World Cup slated to take place in India a month later.
Pakistan and India only meet in ICC events and Asia Cups. The South Asian countries haven’t played any bilateral series since Pakistan’s 2012-13 tour of India.
“India and Pakistan will play the final in the Asia Cup and also in the World Cup. India will come to Pakistan (for Asia Cup) and Pakistan will also travel to India for the World Cup. I am very hopeful that things will improve between India and Pakistan, and trade will open. I urge people from both sides to spread positivity and close the gap instead of burning bridges,” Akhtar told Sports Today.
The former Pakistani superstar also recalled the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, which India won against Pakistan. He stated that he would want Pakistan to take revenge in the 2023 edition. Although he did not play in the 2011 semi-final, he wants to watch the India-Pakistan final in Wankhede or Ahmedabad in India.
“I want to take revenge for the 2011 World Cup, I hadn’t played in that match. I want to watch the India vs Pakistan final in Wankhede or Ahmedabad, wherever it happens in India. I will try my level best to watch the final,” he said.
Akhtar agreed that there was some doubt about Pakistan’s ability to attend the World Cup in India, and he believed that the governments of both countries would need to take the initiative. He claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be unable to take any action without seeking permission from their respective governments.
