World Cup 2023: Shoaib Akhtar explains how Indian media will help Pakistan beat Men in Blue

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Shoaib Akhtar has reckoned that Pakistan will beat India in the upcoming World Cup 2023 with the help of the Indian media. The former Pakistan pacer took a dig at Indian media, saying that they will build up the India versus Pakistan clash as the Mahabharata.

Shoaib Akhtar said the home media will declare India the winners even before the match and that would lead to massive pressure on the Indian cricket team.

"Pakistan can win the ODI World Cup if they play without fear. India do not have any stadiums that host less than 50,000 people. 2 billion people will watch the game when India play Pakistan in the World Cup," Akhtar said in a press conference hosted by Star Sports.

"All Pakistan has is 15 members in the squad who are sticking together. They will have to give confidence to each other throughout the tournament.

"The Indian media will put an incredible amount of pressure on Pakistan, they will build it up like Mahabharata. That is an uncalled amount of pressure to have ahead of the game. They will say that India will defeat Pakistan with ease, and that is where things will turn topsy-turvy. Rohit Sharma and India are going to face a lot of pressure because of that, because they will already be portrayed as the winner. Pakistan will be under no pressure because the media will expect them to lose," Akhtar concluded.

India and Pakistan recently locked horns in the league stage of the Asia Cup 2023 in September but the match ended without a result due to rain. The two sides will now meet each on September 10 in the Super Fours round.

The arch-rivals will go against each other on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the World Cup 2023.