Pakistan can lift World Cup trophy despite India being favorites - Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, stated tht Pakistan cannot be ruled out as a contender for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 scheduled in India, while Indian team is one of the favorites to win.

Akram said that Pakistan's bowling attack is one of the best in the world, and their captain is a great player. 

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“Of course I will," said Wasim when asked if he can say that Pakistan are among the favourites to win the World Cup this year. “Both are fantastic teams. Our captain is a great player and we have one of the best fast-bowling lineups in the world.”

"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.

The kings of swing believes that the team with the strongest bowling attack will succeed in the tournament, especially since the pitches in India tend to be batter-friendly. 

Meanwhile, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan stated that England is always a major contender for the trophy, but India would be a formidable force in home conditions if they commit to an aggressive style.

“I have to say that England are the favourites even if it's in conditions that you know is little bit different to what it was in 2019 when they won the World Cup (in England). They (England) have got good spin options. They have got good players who play spin nicely. They have got good variations with the seam bowlers, Jofra Archer coming back (from injury) is huge. And Mark Wood is bowling at 90 miles per hour. So I think England have got the experience, but India will be a threat. If they can commit to an aggressive style, India are going to be a formidable force in home conditions,” he concluded.