Asia Cup 2023: "Lose To Kenya But Not To Pakistan"- Anil Kumble On IND-PAK Rivalry During His Playing Days

Former Indian skipper Anil Kumble has recently shared his opinion on India-Pakistan matches. Both teas are placed in the same group in Asia Cup 2023 and will face off against each other on September 2 in Pallekele.

India and Pakistan can play as many as five times between the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC World Cup 2023. Both teams can meet for a potential final in the Asia Cup and also for a virtual semi-final in the ICC World Cup 2023.

The rivalry between India and Pakistan has started getting more traction since Pakistan beat the Men in Blue in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017 and the T20 World Cup in 2021. India returned the favor by beating them in a tense clash in the T20 World Cup last year.

Read More: Pakistan World Cup Schedule 2023: Full Schedule With PDF, Match List, Time Table, Date, Venue, Time

As far as Asia Cup is concerned, both teams met twice in Asia Cup 2022 with India beating Pakistan in the league stage while losing to them in the Super 4 stage to be eliminated from the tournament.

Speaking to TOI on the IND-PAK rivalry during his playing days, Anil Kumble said that the pressure was huge and people expected India to win against Pakistan at any cost. They preferred India to Kenya but not to Pakistan.

“In our times, the word was ‘lose even to Kenya but not to Pakistan’. There was pressure and expectation on the players. That’s how the matches between India and Pakistan are being played and the key is to treat it as just another match” Kumble said to TOI.

Anil Kumble Had 135 International Wickets Against Pakistan

Between 1992 to 2019, India have never lost to Pakistan in seven meetings at the ICC World Cup. Both teams will face off each other in this World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 14 as per reports. The match was originally scheduled on October 15 but was preponed due to Navratri celebrations.

Kumble, meanwhile had a stellar record against Pakistan picking up 81 wickets in 15 Test matches against them and 54 wickets in 34 ODIs.

“I did not go onto the field thinking of a 10-wicket haul, though that is the dream of any bowler. However, in the next Test match against Pakistan, the Asian Test Championship at Kolkata, I was struggling to take even one wicket. That is the game of cricket for you” said Kumble on his famous 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla in 1999.

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