Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was part of the Pakistan playing XI when the team faced India in the 2011 World Cup semi-final, has backed the Men in Green to upstage the Men in Blue this time around. Ajmal reckons that India's bowling attack has always been 'weak' and that gives Babar Azam's side an advantage.
"India's bowling lineup has always been weak," said Ajmal. "Of late, Siraj has bowled well. Shami has been bowling well. Among spinners, I think Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial in World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah could have been a threat for Pakistan, but he has been unfit for quite some time. I don't think India's bowling will be much of a threat for Pakistan," Ajmal said on Nadir Ali podcast.
Since the time International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the 2023 World Cup schedule, Indian and Pakistan cricket fans have marked their calendars for the most mouthwatering fixture of the tournament. India and Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns on October 15 at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. The two arch-rivals are likely to renew their rivalry in front of more than one lakh fans in the stadium with over a billion people watching it on televisions across the world.
Furthermore, Ajmal believes that if Pakistan bowlers can restrict India's strong batting line-up to a decent score, then the Men in Green will have a 60% chance of winning the game.
"India's batting has always been strong. Our bowling is dangerous. It will be a battle of equals. Right now, I would say Pakistan has a 60% chance of winning. (Are Pakistan favorites?) Yes. In Indian conditions, considering the bowlers Pakistan has, if Pakistan keeps them down to a low score, Pakistan will win," Ajmal opined.
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