Jos Buttler excited for India-Pakistan World Cup match

Jos Buttler, who is a regular in the Indian Premier League, knows that when India and Pakistan lock horns at Old Trafford on Sunday, it will not just be another World Cup 2019 fixture.

Published : Jun 15, 2019 23:35 IST

Jos Buttler gestures during a training session at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

"Would you be watching the India-Pakistan fixture on television?"

Jos Buttler smiled and replied: "Yeah..."

The England wicketkeeper-batsman, who is a regular in the Indian Premier League, understands the sentiments of an India-Pakistan encounter, especially at a World Cup.

And he also knows that when the two teams lock horns at Old Trafford on Sunday, it will not just be another World Cup 2019 fixture.

"It's a great game. It's one of the most watched cricket game out there, isn't it? That's going to be fantastic," Buttler said after England's game against the West Indies in Southampton.

For Buttler, the game is of more significance because England will take on Afghanistan in its next outing on Tuesday at the same venue and the India-Pakistan clash will give the England side an idea of the nature of the wicket.

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"We play at Old Trafford, I think on the same wicket, so I am interested in that. It will be a great day. A fantastic occasion for the World Cup," Buttler said.

Buttler doesn't want to predict an winner. "I don't know (who will win)," he said, adding with a smile: "India is a very good side but Pakistan are as well..."

The arch-rivals face off after nine long months -- the last time they met was at the Asia Cup last year -- and that has got even the England cricketers excited.