The anticipation surrounding the resumption of cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan is reaching fever pitch. With just a few months remaining until their highly anticipated clash in the upcoming World Cup in October, reports are emerging that thousands of eager spectators are securing hospital beds in the vicinity of the stadium due to the exorbitant hotel prices caused by advanced bookings.
It’s worth noting that the two cricketing giants are set to cross paths not just once but twice in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka this September, a full month prior to the World Cup hosted by India.
Capitalizing on the immense buzz around this epic showdown, the official broadcasters of the Asia Cup, Star Sports, have unveiled an ambitious promotional campaign that has set the cricketing world abuzz.
The minute-long promo revolves around the story of a cricket-devoted family. The narrative opens at a hospital where a grandmother, accompanied by her family, is being examined by a doctor for a swollen hand. The doctor prescribes a recovery period of six months.
Perplexed by the diagnosis, the grandmother gazes at the calendar and embarks on a dedicated regimen of exercises to expedite her healing process. In a surprising twist, she regains full strength ahead of schedule, leading to the revelation that her unwavering determination was fueled by the imminent clash between India and Pakistan.
Fans have embraced the promo with open arms, praising its patriotic themes. The release date of the promo, strategically timed to coincide with India’s 77th Independence Day, has added an extra layer of significance to the fervor building up to the blockbuster match.
Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2023 is all set to kick off with co-hosts Pakistan facing Nepal in Multan on August 30. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, team India will enter the fray with a high-stakes encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy just three days into the competition.
Following the opening round, the Super Four stage will commence from September 6 to September 15, spread across the cities of Lahore and Colombo. The latter city will also play host to the grand finale on September 17, when the Asia Cup champion will be crowned.