There is a lot of buzz surrounding the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
As per the schedule released by the ICC on June 27, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan encounter will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15.
Before the World Cup clash, the arch-rivals are due to square off in the Asia Cup 2023 on September 2 in Kandy. If the two teams qualify for the Super-4 stage, they will lock horns again on September 10 in Colombo while reaching the final would put them against each other for the third time in the competition on September 17.
Ahead of the two marquee events, veteran India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf.
Karthik, who is currently performing broadcasting duties for Sky Sports, was left mighty impressed with Rauf’s exploits in The Hundred for Welsh Fire. The right-arm quick claimed three wickets for 27 runs against Southern Brave in Southampton on Friday (August 4).
"Few years ago he was playing tennis ball cricket. Gets picked up by the Qalandars, becomes a part of their team, and academy and then goes on to play the league and then has obviously gone on to do so well for Pakistan. He is arguably one of the better white ball bowlers going around in world cricket now, especially at the death," Karthik said on the sidelines of fifth match in The Hundred 2023.
During the India versus Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup last year, Haris Rauf was at the receiving end of Virat Kohli’s assault.
Chasing 160 to win, the Men in Blue were in dire straits at 31/4 after 6.1 overs. Amid the pressure situation, Kohli rose to the occasion as he smashed 82* off 53 balls and shared a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya (40 off 37 balls) to script India’s nail-biting four-wicket victory.
The highlight of Kohli’s innings was the two sixes he smashed against Rauf in the penultimate over of India’s innings. While the first hit was down the ground to a slower ball, the second maximum was a flick over square leg.
In less than a month, Haris Rauf will aim to produce his best against the Indian batters and avenge the last year’s loss.
(The Hindustan Times Inputs)
