The first match of the Asia Cup which is being played in the United Arab Emirates proved to be a tough one for India. Playing against an unseasoned Hong Kong team the Indian team toiled hard to finally manage a 26 run win over. However enthralling yesterday’s battle might have been but it can never come close to the India versus Pakistan match which is scheduled for today. An India Pakistan clash is termed as ‘the final before the final’ and on 19th September when the two teams clash there will be every bit of excitement promised. The emotional war however started before the match, Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was sitting on a panel discussion on ABP News which was holding a conference with ARY News of Pakistan. A brief between former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir took place which went on in a civil manner despite the Pakistani anchor trying to provoke the two to clash on live television.
https://youtu.be/uz07gEQdoP4
Post the chat with the former Pakistani cricketer the Pakistani anchor tried to belittle the Indian cricket team with provoking statements. He time and again pointed out that the Indian side was coming to the Asia Cup after losing to England in tests and One day Internationals while the Pakistani side had come to the series after winning a series in and against Zimbabwe in August. Gautam Gambhir was visibly infuriated with the cheap shots of the anchor and he went on to explain angrily that there is a huge difference between losing against England in England and in winning against a team like Zimbabwe. The Pakistani anchor was shown his place swiftly by the Indian batsman and to his aid came his co-anchor who tried to suggest that in cricket a win against Zimbabwe is still a win and the Pakistan cricket team was coming after a win against the Indian side. Gautam further went on to suggest that a win against a weak team like Zimbabwe was the only thing which the Pakistan side deserved and he also reminded them of the various defeats which the Pakistan cricket team has dealt with at the hands of the Indian cricket team in the past.
THIS IS EPIC!!! 😂🔥
Gautam Gambhir shuts the Pakistani media with his savage replies! #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/UAaNJ7vXJo— Team Gautam Gambhir (@gautamgambhir97) September 18, 2018
The debate which should have focused on the elements of the match at hand and how a encounter on the field after such a long time between the two countries would be thrilling was given an ugly turn. Gautam succeeded in shutting up the anchor and proved that he is a champion both with the bat on the pitch and with words on news debate. The match which is scheduled for today is going to be a thrilling one with Virat Kohli not available in the Indian side. The Pakistan cricket team will pose a tough challenge to the Indian side today. Gautam Gambhir has given the much needed boost to the Indian team’s morale and now they have to prove him right by their performance on the field. Today’s match will be watched closely by more than a billion people around the globe making it an intense and a must win for India which is being captained by Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli.