MANCHESTER (United Kingdom): Former Pakistan star Wasim Akram has called for calm ahead of his country’s World Cup clash with India
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has urged fans on both the sides of the border to stay calm during his country’s potentially volatile World Cup clash against bitter rivals India in Manchester on Sunday.
Wasim, who is in England for the match as a commentator, labelled the latest meeting between the old enemies as “the biggest match of the World Cup.”
But with passions running high among both fanbases and political relations between the countries extremely tense, Wasim said the match should be enjoyed rather than used to inflame the situation.
“This can’t be bigger,” Wasim told AFP on Friday. “India and Pakistan playing at the World Cup with over a billion audience is the biggest thing in cricket, so my message to both sets of fans to enjoy it and stay calm.
“One team will win, one team will lose, so stay graceful and do not take this as a war. Those who project this match as war are not true cricket fans.”
The Old Trafford clash is a sell-out, with tickets now for sale on the black market at reported prices of around £2,500 ($3,150).
And former pace bowler Wasim admitted any India against Pakistan match has pressure, let alone one in the World Cup.
“Who can realize the pressure more than me?” said Wasim. “I used to look forward to a match against India because it brings the best out of the players from both the sides.”
Pakistan have never beaten India in six World Cup matches dating back to 1992, but Wasim thinks that poor run could change on Sunday.
“Pakistan can beat India through controlled aggression,” said Wasim, who was part of the Pakistan team in the 1992, 1999, 2003 World Cups when they lost to India.
He was sidelined through a shoulder injury when India beat Pakistan in the 1996 quarter-finals.
“Yes, I don’t have fond memories of the World Cup matches against India but I have enjoyed all these matches over the year as fans are glued to television wherever they are. It will be like that again on Sunday,” he said.
Wasim admits India have a stronger line-up, but he insists Pakistan can still shock their rivals in a one-off match, as they did in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
“Yes, India have a strong batting and bowling line up but Pakistan can match them. When it comes to India and Pakistan game the team that handles the pressure well wins the day,” he said.
“I surely hop that rain stays off. Fans want to watch a full matches, intense and lively so we all hope that rain stays away.”
India have five points from three matches after beating England and South Africa, while their match against New Zealand was washed out on Thursday.
Pakistan have lost against the West Indies and Australia and shocked hosts England, while their match against Sri Lanka was washed out.
‘It’s not a war’: Wasim calls for calm in India-Pakistan World Cup clash
‘It’s not a war’: Wasim calls for calm in India-Pakistan World Cup clash
- Urges fans on both the sides of the border to stay calm during potentially volatile clash on Sunday
- "India and Pakistan playing at World Cup with over a billion audience is the biggest thing in cricket," Wasim says
US orders non-essential staff to leave Lahore, Karachi consulates amid Iran conflict
- Embassy in Islamabad unaffected by departure order, US mission says
- Move comes amid US-Iran hostilities and regional security concerns
ISLAMABAD: The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and family members to leave its consulates in Lahore and Karachi due to security risks following the outbreak of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, the US mission in Pakistan said on Wednesday.
The US Department of State issued the order on March 3, citing the ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights across the region after fighting began between the United States and Iran on Feb. 28.
The advisory also comes as demonstrations against US-Israeli strikes in Iran turned violent in Pakistan over the weekend. At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes across the country, including 10 in the southern port city of Karachi where security at the US consulate fired on demonstrators who breached the outer perimeter, 11 in the northern city of Skardu where a crowd torched a UN office, and two in Islamabad.
“On March 3, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and the family members of US government personnel from US Consulates Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan due to safety risks,” the US mission said in a statement.
“Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.” 
The statement clarified that there has been no change to the operational status of the US Embassy in Islamabad, which continues to function normally.
The advisory warned that Pakistan’s security environment remains fluid, citing risks of terrorism, violent extremism and criminal activity in various parts of the country.
“There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Pakistan,” the advisory said, noting that militant groups have historically targeted transportation hubs, markets, hotels, places of worship and government buildings.
US government personnel stationed in Pakistan operate under strict movement restrictions and are often required to travel with armed escorts and armored vehicles outside major cities. The State Department said its ability to assist US citizens remains limited in some parts of the country due to security constraints.
The advisory cautioned citizens about demonstrations, noting that local law requires permits for protests and that foreigners can face detention for participating in demonstrations or posting content online considered critical of the Pakistani government or military.
The advisory reiterated existing travel warnings for several regions of Pakistan, including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, where militant groups have carried out frequent attacks against civilians, security forces and foreign nationals.
The US mission urged American citizens in Pakistan to monitor local media, avoid protests and crowded areas, maintain updated travel documents and develop contingency plans in case of an emergency departure.
