The One Day World Cup returns to India after 12 years, with the host team considered a strong contender.
Ten teams from around the world will compete for the trophy in the coming months.
Pakistan’s team has also returned to India after seven years, but Pakistani fans couldn’t attend due to security reasons.
'We wanted to win the 2011 World Cup for Shoaib Akhtar. It was his last World Cup, I wanted to lift him on shoulders and I would have requested Shahid Afridi to play him in the final. But we lost to India in semis and I was heartbroken' – Umar Akmal 💔💔 #CWC23 #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/b7Gb41Dru6
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 10, 2023
In the 2011 World Cup, Team India reached the final after losing to Pakistan in the semi-finals.
Former Pakistani player Umar Akmal claims Pakistan had a strong desire to win the 2011 World Cup.
Akmal mentioned drawing inspiration from his brother Kamran Akmal and AB de Villiers, who excelled outside Pakistan.
De Villiers, known for his wide range of shots and finishing abilities, taught Akmal valuable lessons about middle-order batting.
During a podcast in Pakistan, Akmal discussed Shoaib Akhtar‘s ambition to win the 2011 World Cup.
Akmal expressed his wish to carry Shoaib Akhtar on his shoulders in celebration and request Shahid Afridi to include him in the final if Pakistan had reached that stage.
However, Pakistan’s campaign ended in the 2011 World Cup semifinals with a loss to India
