Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram expressed his confidence in the Pakistan team’s ability to win the ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to take place in India during October and November. Akram believes that the Men in Green possess a high-quality squad capable of securing their second ODI World Cup title.
Pakistan currently holds the second position in the latest ODI team rankings, making them one of the favorites for the tournament, especially considering their familiarity with subcontinental conditions. Additionally, Babar Azam, the top-ranked ODI batsman, adds further strength to the team.
In a conversation with the ICC, Wasim Akram stated that Pakistan’s chances of winning the trophy would depend on the fitness and form of their key players. “We have a good side… a very good one-day side and are led by one of the modern-day greats in Babar Azam,” said Wasim.
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“As long as they stay fit and execute the game plan, they will have a chance of performing well in the World Cup because it will be played in our type of conditions on the subcontinent,” he added.
Wasim Akram emphasized that Babar Azam has the potential to elevate his game to new heights during the World Cup. The left-arm pacer mentioned that Babar’s presence attracts crowds to the stadiums.
“The entire country follows him and everything he does. He brings people to the stadiums, be it T20s, ODIs, or Test cricket. In my opinion, he possesses the most beautiful cover drive in the world,” he concluded.
Babar Azam was part of the Pakistan squad in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, where they failed to progress to the knockout stages. However, the right-handed batsman has exhibited consistency in his batting since then, scoring eight of his 18 ODI centuries in matches following the 2019 tournament.