'Pakistan better team, will beat India again in 20-20 World Cup' - Shoaib Akhtar

As the two teams only face each other during world events and Asia Cup, the India-Pakistan rivalry is something that fans desperately wait to watch. While the Men in Blue had an unbeaten streak against Pakistan going into 20-20 World Cup 21, the Men in Green broke the jinx as they finally defeated India in a WC match.

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The Azam-led side went on to beat their neighbours by ten wickets in their opening encounter of the eighth edition of the 20-20 WC. However, India have a chance to avenge their loss as both the teams are placed in the same group in the upcoming edition of the 20-20 WC in 2022. Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar feels the result of the game will be the same as last year.

He also said that the Indian media unnecessarily puts pressure on their players whenever they play against their neighbours. He even mentioned the fact that a clash of two counties in cricket is a normal thing.

"We will beat India again in Melbourne. Pakistan is a better side than India in T20 cricket. It's the Indian media that make unnecessary pressure on their team whenever we have the clash of both countries in cricket, it's normal for India to lose," said Shoaib Akhtar, as quoted by Sports Tiger.

It is to be noted that the two teams will be facing each other on 23 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The other teams which will be accompanying them in Group 2 are South Africa and Bangladesh as of now. India still leads the head-to-head record in World Cups by 12-1.

On the other hand, the teams in Group 1 are Australia, New Zealand, England, Afghanistan. The tournament is all set to commence on October 22, with the hosts Australia taking on their neighbours New Zealand in the first match of the Super 12 stages. The final is slated to be played on November 13 at the MCG.