’Big B’ to sing National Anthem before India-Pak match

While the ‘Big B’ will sing the National Anthem in his signature baritone, Pakistan will also make their presence felt with classical singer Shafaqat Amanat Ali who is slated to sing the Pakistani National Anthem.

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan speaks to the media during a charity event in aid of education for underprivileged children in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. Affectionately known as "Big B," Bachchan has acted in around 180 films in a career spanning four decades in Bollywood, the home of India's prolific movie industry. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will sing the National Anthem before the start of the marquee India-Pakistan World T20 cricket match at the Eden Gardens on March 19.

Bachchan has confirmed the development by retweeting a post in his official Twitter handle while sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal today said this was an effort by its president Sourav Ganguly.

“The president was involved and the plan was on for a long time,” CAB sources said.

While the ‘Big B’ will sing the National Anthem in his signature baritone, Pakistan will also make their presence felt with classical singer Shafaqat Amanat Ali who is slated to sing the Pakistani National Anthem.