• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Lose Even To Kenya But Not Anil Kumble Speaks On Indo Pak Rivalry Ahead Of Asia Cup

'Lose Even To Kenya But Not...': Anil Kumble Speaks On Indo-Pak Rivalry Ahead Of Asia Cup

image-ll3jgghmIndia vs Pakistan likely to take place on Oct 14 in World Cup [Twitter]

Legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has urged the current players to treat the forthcoming matches against arch-rivals Pakistan as just another game in order to avoid the pressure of expectations getting to their head.

The Asian giants will renew their rivalry next month when they lock horns in the 50-over version of the Asia Cup.

The arch-rivals will square off at least twice in Asia Cup before their epic showdown at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 14.

Kumble, who was a part of several iconic Indo-Pak encounters during his playing days, recalled the level of expectations that fans used to have back then, adding that a lose to a smaller nation was acceptable to the fans but not a defeat 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.” Anil Kumble told TOI.

The champion leg-spinner also recalled his historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan during the Asian Test Championship in Delhi in 1999.

"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.”

The two nations will first square off in the league-stage of Asia Cup 2023 on 2nd September in Pallekele.