Image Source- PTI
Less than a week remain till the 2023 ODI World Cup,
and Waqar Younis, a past champion with Pakistan, has overtaken the hosts India
as the favourite to win the event for a third time.
“If we only talk about ticking the boxes then we will
see no other team can match India, even Pakistan or any other team will not
match India right now because India also have good spinners, not only the
spinners who are playing right now in starting XI such as Kuldeep, Jadeja but
also they have a strong bench strength,” Waqar told Star Sports. “So, if by any
chance, they face any injuries, the players who are sitting at the bench can’t
be ignored due to their fantastic current form.”
Furthermore, the former Pakistan quick delved into the
issues pertaining to the Babar Azam-led Pakistan side with pace sensation
Naseem Shah having been ruled out of the marquee tournament.
“The new ball is always crucial for us not only for
this world cup but also if you can see overall matches, it has been always a
very important factor for us over the years and in the past world cups also.
When we used to strike and take wickets with the new ball, then we use to get
some momentum for staying in a better position in the game. So, the absence of
Naseem Shah is a very big loss for Pakistan. Though, Hasan Ali has been
declared as his replacement; he has got a lot of experience and gave brilliant
performances in past as well but I feel to suddenly come and perform in this
kind of big stage will not be an easy task for him,” Waqar said.
Waqar said the men in blue starting favorites against
their arch rivals doesn’t take the sheen away from the fixture.
“It will be the biggest game, mother of all the games.
So, when you will play in Ahmedabad, which has one of the biggest and finest
stadium in the world, you will have to control your nerves and not only
Pakistan will be under pressure since it is a weaker team as compared to India
but India will be also under pressure because the crowd in the stadium will
create pressure on both the teams and that will balance the pressure in the
game. However, if we judge purely based on the team’s performance, clearly India
definitely will be a better team,” the 51-year-old said.