NEW DELHI: As the cricketing world anticipates the high-stakes clash between Pakistan and India in the World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Zaka Ashraf, delivered a motivational pep talk to the Pakistan cricket team. The meeting, attended by players and support staff, including coach Grant Bradburn, PCB's director of cricket Mickey Arthur, and captain Babar Azam, aimed to boost team morale and prepare for the much-anticipated match against arch-rivals India.
Pakistan, touring India for the first time since 2016, is gearing up for what is undoubtedly their most significant encounter in the ongoing World Cup. The battle will take place at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium.
In an interesting development, it has come to light that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is hosting a dinner for Zaka Ashraf on the eve of the match. The event will see the presence of BCCI secretary Jay Shah and other top officials of the board.
The impact of the PCB chief's pep talk remains to be seen, as such interactions can either provide motivation or create added pressure for the team, especially in a high-stakes game like the India-Pakistan clash.
Both India and Pakistan have been impressive in the early stages of the tournament, remaining unbeaten thus far. Pakistan secured victories over Netherlands by 81 runs and Sri Lanka by six wickets. India, on the other hand, recorded convincing wins, defeating Australia by six wickets and Afghanistan by eight wickets in their first two matches.
With their respective unbeaten records, both teams will be eager to maintain their winning streaks and claim victory in the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash. Cricket fans worldwide are poised for an electrifying encounter as these cricketing giants face off on the global stage.
(With inputs from PTI)
