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Wasim Akram, Rohit Sharma (Image Credit Twitter)
Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has called out the television and social media for terming India as champions of ODI World Cup 2023 before the final. Ahead of the summit clash of the tournament against Australia, it was a massive hype around the match. However, during the game, the Aussies were in command and eventually won their sixth ODI World Cup title.
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Meanwhile, Akram has touched upon how tough it is for the Indian fans to get over this loss. The 1992 World Cup winner added that the television and social media raised the hopes of the fans because the team did well.
"I can understand that, as a nation, it will be tough to get over it because your team played so well throughout the tournament. They won 10 matches on the trot; there was consistency. But television, social media, fans... you all already made India the winner of the World Cup. You accept your mistake too, I'm sorry. You increased the hope of the people because they were playing so well. It's not entirely your fault. They were playing very good cricket. But it came to just one bad game. Credit goes to Australia," Akram said on Star Sports.
It feels like a shock that India lost the final: Wasim Akram
The former left-arm pacer further added that it was quite a shock to watch India lose the final. During the conversation, he also mentioned Pakistan fans asking him about the 1999 World Cup final loss against Australia even now.
"First of all, the Indian team played really well. It feels like a shock (that they lost in the final), they are down but it's alright. I still get asked about the loss in the 1999 World Cup final. When will our fans forget this? The fans of India and Pakistan have an elephant's memory. It's been 30 years since we lost that final and they still ask me why I opted to bat after winning the toss. So, don't take social media seriously; half of it is just drama. As a nation, you have to move on; there's another World Cup coming in six months," Akram added.