Pakistan and India are set to lock horns in the most-anticipated match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India on October 14.
The Pakistani cricket team arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday night and is currently undergoing rigorous practice sessions as they gear up for their much-awaited match.
Eager to leave his mark once again, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is preparing hard to power his side to a third consecutive win in the mega event.
Rizwan scored a century as Pakistan completed the tournament’s highest-ever successful run chase — scoring 345 in just 48.2 overs — to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets, in Hyderabad.
According to Indian media, Rizwan spent a whole hour in the nets with a left-arm wrist spinner — like India's Kuldeep Yadav — practicing the sweep and reverse sweep shot.
The 31-year-old wicketkeeper batter has been practicing while keeping in mind his condition, Indian media reported, having previously faced health issues during the 2021 T20, ahead of the team's semi-final against Australia.
Pakistan's team have ramped up their efforts as they spent three hours practicing in the evening for the high-voltage match that will be played on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In preparation for Saturday's match, cricket enthusiasts have thronged to hospitals near the venue of the match clearly showing the degree of excitement.
Quite a few of the hospitals in the western Indian city have seen a sudden influx of patients booked in for check-ups involving a night's stay to coincide with the World Cup group stage clash between the arch-rivals.
Several doctors told local media the rush for check-up "packages" was an ingenious way to find affordable accommodation as hotel costs have soared up to 20-fold ahead of the match.
"We have come across some cases of people coming to watch the India-Pakistan match also taking an appointment for health check-ups and staying in hospitals," Tushar Patel, President of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, Reuters reported.
