The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently released the promotional video for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup in India, scheduled to commence on October 5. The video garnered widespread attention, particularly in the sub-continent, thanks to the presence of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The promotional video, lasting two minutes and 13 seconds, showcased fans’ reactions and iconic moments from previous World Cup matches, including MS Dhoni‘s famous six that led India to victory in the 2011 edition of the tournament.
The video also featured an impressive lineup of Indian cricketers, such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Dinesh Karthik, and Shubman Gill. Additionally, several cricketing greats made guest appearances, including England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan, former South African player Jonty Rhodes, and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.
However, the exclusion of Babar Azam from the promotional video did not sit well with former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who expressed his indignation on social media. The video did include moments from past World Cups featuring the Pakistan cricket team, showcasing Wahab Riaz and Shaheen Afridi, but the absence of Babar and Pakistan’s historic 1992 World Cup triumph left Akhtar deeply dissatisfied.
Taking to Twitter, Akhtar voiced his frustration, stating, “Whoever thought that World Cup promo will be complete without Pakistan & Babar Azam’s significant presence, has actually presented himself as a joke. Come on guys, time to grow up a bit.”
Whoever thought that World Cup promo will be complete without Pakistan & Babar Azam's significant presence, has actually presented himself as a joke.
Come on guys, time to grow up a bit.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 22, 2023
Notably, the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup will kick off on October 5, with the previous edition’s finalists England and New Zealand taking each other in the opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Nevertheless, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash scheduled to take place at the same venue on October 15.
