Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently spoke out about the immense pressure generated by Indian media leading up to the highly-anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. This pivotal encounter is scheduled to kick off the continental tournament at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on September 2.
Akhtar didn’t mince his words as he criticized the Indian media for what he perceived as the creation of ‘unnecessary’ pressure on their national team. He recollected an incident from the Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match, where the media’s role in hyping the game arguably contributed to India’s downfall. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
“Most of the times India does not lose because they lack talent, they lose because of the kind of pressure they get from their own media. And I always say this to Indian media to give the team some respect and cut them some slack. Why is there a need to build up so much pressure, I understand this because we’re insiders but ultimately this is the wrong thing to do,” Shoaib Akhtar shared with RevSportz.
Akhtar’s comments shed light on the weight of media expectations that often rest on the shoulders of the Indian cricket team. He pointed out that the excessive pressure created by the media can affect the team’s performance on the field, making a case for a more balanced approach.
In the Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan emerged victorious against India in the Super Four, winning by five wickets at the Dubai International Stadium. In the current Asia Cup, Pakistan started with a dominant performance against Nepal, securing a resounding 238-run win in the curtain-raiser.
On the other hand, team India is eager to begin their campaign with a victory against Babar Azam’s Pakistan in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter on Saturday. A win for Pakistan would not only boost their confidence but also solidify their position in the Super Four stage of the ACC event. As the tension builds before this high-stakes match, it remains to be seen how both teams handle the weight of expectations, on and off the field. Get free cricket betting tips only on Nextbet Sports.
