The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup began on Wednesday, with co-hosts Pakistan registering a comprehensive victory over competition debutants Nepal in the first match. Sri Lanka then overcame Bangladesh on Thursday in a low-scoring game in Kandy.
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With Friday being a rest day, all eyes are turned towards the mega-clash between India and Pakistan on Saturday, 2 September. There have been opinions and predictions flying around from both camps, with suggestions on team combinations and results.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar gave his point of view on Friday.
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'They lose because of their own media' - Shoaib Akhtar
In an interview with Revsportz, Akhtar began talking about the India vs Pakistan rivalry through the years before saying,
I'm a very candid kind of a guy, I'm going to say this. Most of the time India does not lose because they are lacking talent. India loses because of the pressure they get from their own media.
And I say this to Indian media, and to you [Boria Majumdar], go a little bit easier on the Indian team. You build so much pressure, why and how this happens you and I both know as insiders, how we have to sell things as the media. But ultimately this is a wrong thing to do.
Akhtar went on to add that in his experience working with Indian media, with so much focus and spotlight on the team, there was unnecessary pressure built up on the players.
"India loses because of the pressure they get from their own media" @shoaib100mph believes that media put excessive pressure on India prior to the #INDvPAK game.
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) September 1, 2023
Recalls his best moments from #INDvsPAK clash.@Pebble_India @swiggydineout pic.twitter.com/E6GycpyVia
When is Team India's next match?
India's next match will be on 2 September against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy as the Men in Blue begin their Asia Cup campaign.
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