Irfan Pathan Defends Empty Stands in 2023 World Cup Opener
Former Indian bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come to the defense of empty stands at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the 2023 World Cup opener. The match featured the finalists of the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand and England, and took place at the world’s largest stadium, with a seating capacity of over 1 lakh. However, as the match kicked off on Thursday afternoon, the stadium appeared eerily deserted, leading to criticism on social media.
Irfan Pathan, known for his outspoken views, took to social media to address the issue. In a tweet, he called out the critics who sought to sensationalize the empty stands, urging fans not to react to the negativity. He wrote:
“They feel left out that’s why they keep tweeting nonsense. Don’t react guys. Reach ke chakkar mein Ye apne tweet ko retweet karne wali janta hai. World Cup is in India. In one of the best stadiums in the world. Enjoy the moment. Let them cry.”
The presence of empty seats in a stadium of this magnitude during such a significant event like the World Cup had raised eyebrows and prompted discussions across social media platforms. Irfan Pathan’s response serves as a reminder to focus on the essence of the game and the global celebration it represents, rather than dwelling on the negativity surrounding it.
In the match itself, New Zealand delivered a resounding performance, defeating reigning champions England in the curtain-raiser of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Joe Root played a crucial role for England, scoring 77 runs and helping them reach a total of 282/9. Notably, all 11 England batters managed to score in double digits, but none were able to convert their starts into substantial innings.
New Zealand’s bowlers shone with Matt Henry taking 3/48, Mitchell Santner grabbing 2/37, and Glenn Phillips contributing 2/17. However, the standout moments of the match came from New Zealand’s batting duo of Devon Conway (152) and Rachin Ravindra (123). They delivered stunning performances, propelling New Zealand to victory in just 36.2 overs.
Conway and Ravindra’s partnership of 273 runs for the second wicket is now the fourth-highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the ODI World Cup. Ravindra, in particular, earned the Player of the Match award for his match-winning century, describing his partnership with Conway as “unbelievable.”
Reflecting on the performance, Ravindra said, “Unbelievable at times, it was just good to have a great day and it was a great bowling performance to restrict them to under 300. Lucky enough to have Dave out there and showing how it’s done.”
Rachin Ravindra also acknowledged the influence of his close friend and mentor, Dave, in his cricketing journey. He highlighted Dave’s transformation into the player he is today, demonstrating the beauty of growth and evolution in sports.
As the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup progresses, cricket fans can anticipate more exciting moments, spectacular performances, and memorable matches, proving that the spirit of cricket transcends the size of the crowd in the stands.
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By- Sahiba Suri