PCB chief motivates Pakistan team ahead of blockbuster match against India

Ahmedabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf on Friday gave a pep talk to the Pakistan cricket team ahead of its much-anticipated World Cup match against arch-rivals India here on Saturday.

Ashraf motivated the players in a meeting which was also attended by the support staff, including coach Grant Bradburn, PCB's director of cricket Mickey Arthur and captain Babar Azam among others.

Pakistan, who are touring India for the first time since 2016, are set to play their biggest match of the World Cup against the home team at the Narendra Modi Stadium here.

It has also been learnt that the BCCI is hosting a dinner for Ashraf on Friday night here, which will be attended by secretary Jay Shah and other top officials of the board.

It remains to be seen whether the pep talk from the PCB chief would act as motivation or create additional pressure for his nation in the big game.

Both India and Pakistan are unbeaten so far in the early stages of the tournament.

While Pakistan beat Netherlands by 81 runs and Sri Lanka by six wickets, India recorded convincing six and eight wickets win over Australia and Afghanistan in their first two matches.