India are set to host the upcoming 50-over World Cup this year during October and November and this will be the first time the competition is held, entirely, in India. Earlier in 2011, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka hosted the biggest cricket tournament. Every team has started preparing for the tournament and some of the great players will also be seen in action in the Indian T20 League as it will also help them to understand the pitch’s condition in India.
Many former cricketers believe that the Men in Blue will be the favorites to lift the World Cup for 3rd time. Meanwhile, former legendary Pakistan fast bowler, Wasim Akram said that we can’t ignore Pakistan as they have some of the best batting and bowling line up in the world. However, the Men in Green’s participation in the tournament is still in doubt.
“Our captain is a great player and we have one of the best fast-bowling lineups in the world,” Akram said on Sports Tak.
“Shaheen Afridi is currently in prime form. He has led his team to victory in the PSL for the second time. He is developing pretty well as an all-rounder. Then there is Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. (Mohammad) Hasnain is there, Ihsanullah is an exciting young fast bowler. I think because the World Cup is happening in India, it is the team with the stronger bowling attack that will succeed because the pitches tend to be batter friendly,” he said.
It is the angle that makes it difficult: Wasim Akram
Meanwhile, the Indian batters suffered an embarrassing 10-wicket loss against Australia in the 2nd ODI in Vizag. And the bowler who wreaked havoc was the Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. He dismantled the Indian top order and helped the team to restrict them on the score of just 117 runs. Akram talked about the same and said that India are having the same problem in recent years as the inswinging delivery making problems for the Indian batters.
“It is the angle that makes it difficult and especially when ball the comes in. At the same time, India have some great top-order player. Be it, Virat Kohli, be it, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, all of them are greats of the game and they will figure out the problems.” The legendary bowler said.
“Let’s give credit to Mitchell Starc. He bowled brilliantly and the pitch was also very lively. And the way the ball was seaming around at one point I thought I am seeing a match in Australia or New Zealand,” said Akram.
