Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has opened up about the disadvantages of the host nation of the marquee events as they would be extra pressure on themselves to win the matches in front of the home crowd. Rohit Sharma-led side will be looking to end their ICC title drought in the ODI World Cup later this year in India after a string of poor performances in recent events.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma could not bring the best out of their players since he took up the mantle from ace batter Virat Kohli, as he failed to win a major trophy captaining the side in Asia Cup 2022, T20 World Cup 2022, and WTC Final 2023.
Speaking on Radio Haanji, Wasim Akram feels that India has got a fantastic bowling lineup going into the ODI World Cup and feels that the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah would make a lot of difference in the team alongside the Indian all-rounders and reckons that they would be some disadvantages in home soil they will have extra pressure to perform in front of the home crowd.
“Of course… India have Mohammed Shami, who is very impressive and is bowling fantastically, but Bumrah needs to remain fit. I don’t know what his situation is in terms of fitness but if he is fine, it will make a huge difference. Besides, they have really good spinners and all-rounders – Jadeja, Ashwin – let’s see who plays,” he added.
“There have been some really good players coming from India but there are certain disadvantages of home ground. In 2011, India won but there is always an extra added pressure. Same with Pakistan. If they were the hosts, the pressure would be on them. Vice-versa,” Wasim Akram said.
The last time the coveted trophy was played in Asia, India had won the tournament by defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Mumbai in 2011. India was the first team to win the World Cup at home in 2011 followed by Australia and England winning the championship in the last two editions and they will have a tough task cut out as they don’t settle unit coming to the mega event in the country.
If I Am Asked To Play On A Certain Date And At A Certain Venue… – Wasim Akram
Speaking on the changing the schedule and venue, Wasim Akram said that Pakistan players should be prepared to play on any date and venue as it does not affect their performance and reckons that they should go and play not looking too much into it.
“See, I said this earlier as well. If I am asked to play on a certain date and at a certain venue, I have to play. Be it Ahmedabad, or Chennai, or Kolkata, or Mumbai… this does not affect players. So just play and don’t worry about it,” Wasim Akram added.
Many believe that Pakistan will start as one of the favourites to lift the ODI World Cup, set to be played in India in October and November, as they have got a formidable team, as they have got excellent batters and bowlers in the team.