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Gladiatorial Pakistan keen to break India jinx in Ahmedabad colosseum – ARN News Centre
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AFP
Pakistan would be forgiven for feeling like gladiators thrown into the Colosseum when they face an India team egged on by 100,000-plus fans in Saturday’s World Cup blockbuster, but skipper Babar Azam sees the match as a chance to end a jinx against their arch-rivals.
Two-time champions India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan in the 50-overs World Cup and are also the top-ranked ODI team, who have won both their games in the tournament so far.
But Pakistan have also won their opening two matches, and Babar is approaching the tournament’s most-anticipated clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue, with a complete disregard for the past.
“I don’t think about the past, I’d rather focus on the future,” Babar told reporters with a wry smile on his face.
“All records are meant to be broken, and we’ll try to break this record tomorrow.
“It boils down to how you perform on the day of the match. We have done pretty well in the first two matches, and I have full belief we’ll do well in the next match as well.”
Part of how they perform will depend on how his teammates manage to deal with the pressure of the game’s fiercest rivalry played out in the den of their cricketing foes.
Babar said his message to his teammates was to see it as an opportunity to perform well and etch their names into the memories of those watching back home.
“India-Pakistan match is a big game, a high-intensity contest. I’ve told my boys it’s a great opportunity – give your best, execute your plans and believe in yourself,” he said.
“It’s a massive stadium, and there would be a big crowd. This is a golden opportunity for us to perform in front of such a big crowd.”
Pakistan’s fortunes could depend on pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, who has troubled India’s top order in recent encounters between the rivals.
His workload has increased after his new-ball partner Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury but Babar has faith in Afridi.
“He’s our best bowler, a champion bowler,” Babar said of the left-arm quick.
“I believe he’s a big-match bowler, who always gives his best on big occasions.
“For us, it does not matter if he does not get wickets in a match or two, it does not put a question mark against him.”
With this year’s tournament producing several high-scoring contests, Babar said he had reminded the bowlers of the need to be accurate.
“We are seeing mostly high-scoring matches and there’s little margin for error for the bowlers. If you are straying from the stumps line, the margin is less.
“I just told my bowlers to hit the right length and bowl stump-to-stump.”
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Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.
Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.
The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.
According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.
His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.
The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Tributes after desert tragedy
Tributes poured in after the deaths.
Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.
Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.
Chelsea connection
Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.
The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.
He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.
(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)
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