Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has said that while the Men in Green understand the importance of their high voltage encounter against India in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 which will be played in Ahmedabad on October 15, their main aim is to win the entire ICC tournament.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with its seating capacity of over 1,25,000 people will be the venue for the ICC World Cup 2023’s opening encounter on October 5 which will see New Zealand take on defending champions England and will also play host to the final on November 11.
On the other hand, the marquee league match between archrivals India and Pakistan will take place in Ahmedabad on October 15 and the hype for which has already begun to the place.
However, Pakistan allrounder Shadab Khan has said that has he would rather win the trophy than only beat arch-rivals India.
“Playing against India comes with a different sense of joy. The pressure overall is also different. Now when we have to go there, it will be their home ground – the crowd will be against us. However, we are going there to play in the World Cup, so we should think about it, and not only about India, because if we win against India and lose the World Cup, then there’s no benefit of it,” Shadab was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“In my opinion, even if we lose from India but end up winning the World Cup, it’s a win-win because that is our main aim,” he added.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to get its government’s clearance to travel to India due to strained political relations between the two counties. India has refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in August and September, and will instead play all its matches in Sri Lanka.
