'We're going to defend this fortress…': Rabada ahead of global tournament

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The ODI World Cup 2027 is set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Ahead of the global showpiece, South Africa’s pacer Kagiso Rabada said that it won’t be a pressure for his team to play at home and feeling the need to win it.

“Well, I think there’s a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it. It’s almost like freedom as well. I don’t feel the pressure of us playing at home and feeling the need to win it. It’s almost like, we’re at home and we’re going to defend this fortress. And that’s what it means to me. It’s about representing the badge,” he said as quoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The pacer draws inspiration from Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s spell during the Cricket World Cup 1992 final against England at the MCG.

“One World Cup moment from the past that I’ll never forget, because I’m a bowler, I’m going to go to the bowlers’ club, was Wasim Akram against England in the final. Him just cleaning up (the stumps) and putting on a show to take it home for his country and showing the passion and the skill. He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him that he was there to play,” said the 31-year-old speedster.

Earlier, a grand ceremony in Johannesburg unveiled the 12 venues that will host next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with eight cities from South Africa, three from Zimbabwe and Namibia’s capital Windhoek selected as tournament locations.

ODI World Cup 2027: Venues for the mega event’s matches

South Africa will host games at eight venues, including Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, St George’s Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo City (formerly East London), according to the ICC website.

Zimbabwe will stage matches at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Namibia’s capital Windhoek will host games at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

(With ANI Inputs)

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