Moments after India ended their second warm-up game with a thumping victory over Bangladesh, India’s star of the game Dinesh Karthik was quite geared up for the game against Pakistan on 4th June at Birmingham. Karthik, who was a part of the previous India- Pakistan game in the 2013 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy at the very same venue, was of the view that it would be great to have an exciting India- Pakistan game.
The two sides will play just their fourth game against each other in as many years, as geopolitical issues have taken a colossal burden on the cricketing ties between the two countries. With an ICC event like the Champions Trophy on offer, however, fans can get a view of the game’s greatest ever rivalry in an all-important clash.
Speaking about the game against Pakistan, Karthik said India would be wary about Pakistan’s form after the men in green chased down a total in excess of 340 in their warm-up game against Bangladesh.
“You make memories in such matches as a sportsman and I am really looking forward to that match,” said Karthik about the match.
“In the last match they chased a big total,” Karthik said. “They are a very good team so I am sure it will be a very good match,” adding, “as players, we are all excited. We don’t get to play Pakistan too many times these days so whenever we do play a match it’s always great fun, great challenge.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman mentioned that the team which handled pressure better would ultimately end up winning the game.
“At the end of the day in a one-day match when we are pitted against each other especially in a Pak-India match where the pressure is so much it’s all about who can handle pressure have the better opportunity to win,” he added.