Virat Kohli’s statue installed at Jaipur Wax Museum on World Heritage Day
A wax statue of ace India cricketer Virat Kohli was installed at the Jaipur Wax Museum on the occasion of World Heritage Day on Thursday.
The much awaited clash of arch-rivals India and Pakistan is now just three days away. However, Pakistan opener Azhar Ali feels that players should play the game like any other group stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy when they take on India on Sunday.
“The players are playing the situation, whatever the teams need at that time. Players are professionals, so they tend to mould into that situation rather than thinking too much about who we are playing,” Ali told PTI on Thursday.
Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, defending champions India are scheduled to play Pakistan in their first group stage match at Birmingham on Sunday.
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“It's a ball and bat and you just want to perform with those. As a professional, you have to take it as a game,” Azhar said, trying to avoid unnecessary pressure ahead of big match.
In the ICC events, India have always dominated Pakistan. Their head-to-head record shows the men-in-blue shining through. India have won 10 out of 11 matches at World Cup and World T20. However, Pakistan have an upperhand in Champions Trophy clashes with a 2-1 lead.
Azhar believed that no international game comes easy and a player requires working hard for making his place in the eleven. “For every team, whenever a player puts on his country's shirt, he aims to give his best. It will be the same for both teams,” he added.
The 32-year-old batsman from Lahore said there is no difference in the fans’ expectations from both the countries and assured a ‘fully focused brand of cricket’ when the two nations meet at the ICC event.
“I know these words and expectations are there, just like they are in India they will be there in Pakistan too. We'll try to live up to those expectations,” Azhar added.
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