While Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 campaign was quite dismal, the cricket show named ‘The Pavilion’ coming from the country caught everyone’s attention during this marquee event.
Leading names of Pakistan cricket such as Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq, Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik are part of the show. They provide brilliant incisive analysis to the viewers before and after every World Cup game.
On Saturday (November 11), former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly revealed that he follows the show as well.
Speaking to A Sports, Ganguly also extended his best wishes to Pakistani viewers and recalled the tour of Pakistan as an Indian captain in 2004.
“Best wishes to all viewers from Pakistan. I have always enjoyed my connection with Pakistan. I still remember that 2004 tour of Pakistan. What a tour it was, the memories are still fresh in my mind. Wasim Bhai is there, Misbah, Shoaib and Moin Khan… Moin has grown too old, his hair has turned grey. Colour them, like we do. It will look good,” Ganguly said.
“It’s good to see Wasim bhai at home. Earlier, it felt like he has roller skates fixed to his legs. Because someday he was in Delhi, the next day he was in Mumbai, or Pakistan or South Africa. But now he is spending some time with his family. His kids have grown up. I saw the picture of his son on Instagram. He’s more handsome than him. I follow the show and I like the way Wasim bhai scolds the Pakistan players. Love to everyone,” he added.
Team India’s performance in the ongoing World Cup has been phenomenal, to say the least. The Rohit Sharma-led side has won eight matches comprehensively so far against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, England and South Africa.
When asked if the IPL has helped India become such a strong cricketing nation, Ganguly replied: “IPL alone cannot help you make the turnaround. Quality is developed through four-day and five-day cricket. If you play too much T20 cricket then mediocrity will settle in.”
“Play T20 cricket and make money but if you want to make players then you need to play for a long time. We need someone like Wasim bhai who used to bowl 25-30 overs a day. Fast bowling with new ball and fast bowling with old ball. You can’t make players by bowling four overs.”
Commenting on India’s success, the former BCCI President said, “Not just IPL but our whole infrastructure in India is very good. We have so many players and we play so many matches. We obviously have money in Indian cricket and we are lucky. The good thing is that the money has been used in the right direction.
“Players have been given a pay rise. We play a lot of domestic cricket with the season starting in September and ending in March followed by IPL till May. Domestic players keep playing from September to May and all formats. This system has helped us make such a good team. There’s also a (financial) security for players. Pakistan also has a lot of talent. There’s a need for a few adjustments. If they do some adjustments then they can also be as good as India.”
India will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the World Cup 2023 in Mumbai on November 15.
