'When you make us the underdog...' - Shoaib Akhtar's eye-opening statement for Team India ahead of Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan 

Shoaib Akhtar (Source: Twitter)

The last time Team India won a major international title was the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The Men in Blue's quest for silverware has continued ever since. With the ODI World Cup 2023 set to take place next month, Rohit Sharma-led India will aim to end their drought of a major title. Meanwhile, the 2011 World Cup winners have an Asian challenge before the premier 50-over tournament - the 2023 Asia Cup.

India are set to open their campaign in the 16th edition of the continental event with a high-profile clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, on September 2. Ahead of the much-anticipated encounter of the tournament, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has made a bold assessment on the Indian media. The 'Rawalpindi Express' feels that India is losing major tournaments due to unnecessary pressure created by the Indian media.

“Most of the times India does not lose because they lack talent, they lose because of the kind of pressure they get from their own media. And I always say this to Indian media to give the team some respect and cut them some slack. Why is there a need to build up so much pressure, I understand this because we’re insiders but ultimately this is the wrong thing to do,” Akhtar told on RevSportz.

Who builds this much pressure?: Akhtar slams Indian media 

The faster bowler to have played the game, Akhtar also recalled an incident prior to the 2022 Asia Cup to justify his statement. India lost to Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Stadium in the Super Four of the previous edition, despite huge hype for the game and the Men in Blue by the Indian media. Akhtar's remark comes as an eye-opener for Team India and the media as Rohit and Co. are set to face their bitter rivals on Saturday.

“The last year I was in Dubai, I was doing a show for the Indian local channels, they painted everything blue, they bought the stadium. Also, they were talking about one thing – ‘team India will crush Pakistan’. Who builds this much pressure? When you make us the underdog, we (Pakistan) got nothing to lose because there is no pressure at all. So, what we’ll do is we’ll go out there and win,” the 48-year-old added.