Ben Stokes has straight-forward response to ‘Everyone is expecting an India vs Pakistan final’ remarks
India will be taking on England in the semifinals of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022.
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Nov 8, 2022 12:24 pm
Ben Stokes-India vs Pakistan (source: Twitter)
With India taking on England in the semifinals of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022, many fans and experts expect the Men in Blue to advance to the final and face Pakistan. The Men in Green will face New Zealand in their semifinal match, and fans expect them to win. Both India and Pakistan qualified from Group 2, with the latter losing their tournament opener to the former.
An Indian journalist asked Ben Stokes about the prospect of a final between India and Pakistan, and whether England could spoil the party, ahead of upcoming India vs England semifinal. “Great news for you guys if it’s the India vs Pakistan final. Look, I don’t know, we are just here to hopefully win on Thursday”, responded Stokes.
Stokes was also asked about Virat Kohli’s comeback in the tournament, as the former captain has been under fire for quite some time. “He has earned the right to be never be written off. You don’t produce the numbers and innings, he has done in all three formats”, he said.
The Indian team has benefited the most from Virat Kohli’s performance in the tournament. The former Indian captain has scored 246 runs in five innings, averaging 123. He also has a nearly 140 strike rate, with three half-centuries. The star batter would like to keep his form going in the knockout games.
India defeated Zimbabwe by 71 runs in the Super 12 Stage in their most recent match. India bowled out Zimbabwe for 115 in 17.2 overs, defending a target of 187 runs, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking three wickets.
In the meantime, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya each took two wickets. Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 61-run knock of 25 balls initially helped India post a total of 186 for five in 20 overs. Meanwhile, opener KL Rahul hit a crucial 51-run knock of 35 balls.
The Rohit Sharma-led team would look to do well in the remainder of the tournament as well. The Men in Blue have not won the 20-20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.
