‘2011 ka badla lena hai’: Shoaib Akhtar predicts India vs Pakistan final in ODI World Cup

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said the final of the ODI World Cup would be played between India and Pakistan.“I want an India vs Pakistan final, whether they are playing in Mumbai or Ahmedabad,” Akhtar told media. Shoaib also has one more request to Babar Azam-led team and that is to avenge the 2011 World Cup semifinal loss. Shoaib, who was part of the Pakistan side, didn’t feature in the playing, and Pakistan lost the match by 29 runs in Mohali.“2011 ka badla lena hai is baar (Want to avenge the loss of 2011 semifinal),” he said. Akhtar also lamented both BCCI and PCB for making unnecessary comments about hosting of Asia Cup.ACC chief and BCCI secretary Jay Shah had earlier announced that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup scheduled later this year and the tournament will be moved out of Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pakistan has been insisting that India should come to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup in September and if they don’t come and the tournament is moved elsewhere, the PCB will be forced not to send its team to India for the 50-over World Cup in October-November.

 “These are trash talks. Neither BCCI or PCB can do anything in this matter. BCCI can’t do anything without asking the Indian government. Our board also can’t do anything without consulting our government,” he said.

“Everyone gives their opinion when it comes to the India-Pakistan tie. I have a request to all the former players from both sides; please stay away from making unnecessary comments.

“If Narendra Modi-led government will give the green light, who is BCCI to decide that they will travel to Pakistan,” he said.Shoaib also said that the Pakistan team coming to India for the ODI World Cup would be bigger news than the tournament itself. “Pakistan landing in India will be bigger news than the World Cup,” feels Shoaib Akhtar.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)