“Ready for battle with Shoaib Akhtar”: Sehwag on India-Pakistan World Cup match

Former Indian cricketer, Virender Sehwag, acknowledged the immense focus and attention that surrounds the India-Pakistan World Cup match, recognizing that it is a contest that captures the imagination of cricket fans worldwide.

With a sense of humor, Sehwag emphasized his intention to engage in a virtual battle with former Pakistan speedster, Shoaib Akhtar.

"Everybody knows that all the focus is going to be on the India vs Pakistan match. I am ready to have a battle with Shoaib Akhtar during that game... on social media. The record says that India haven't lost a World Cup game to Pakistan. We are ahead 7-0, out of which we have chased just once. Otherwise, each time India have batted first and put up a match-winning total. I'm not sure what will happen that day (October 15), but the team that handles pressure well will win," Sehwag said in an event organised to unveil World Cup schedule.

The former Indian opener recognized the intensity and emotional significance of an India-Pakistan encounter. Despite players often claiming they don't feel pressure, Sehwag affirmed that the emotions run high in such matches.

“I feel that now India handles pressure that is why they win whereas Pakistan have a burden that they haven't won against India. In the 1990s, they were good at dealing with pressure but after 2000, India soak it better. If any player says that they don't feel pressure, I don't think it's right. We used to say it too but at the end of the day, we know it's an India vs Pakistan game and emotions run high," he added.