The 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup will take place in India later this year. The Men in Blue sit at the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings at present and will be among the favourites to win the tournament and end the long wait of 12 years for an ODI World Cup title. After winning their second ODI World Cup title in 2011, India suffered heartbreaking defeats in the semifinals of the next two editions. They haven’t won an ICC title in the last 10 years, and so this year, in the favourable home conditions where they also have a very good track record, the Men in Blue would like to end the drought.
Much like everyone else, former Pakistani skipper and star all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez also rates Team India as the favourites for this year’s World Cup, but at the same time has fired a warning to Rohit Sharma’s men by highlighting the side’s recent record in ICC events. According to him, India will need to perform well in big matches to win the title, and they have a point to prove in the ODI World Cup at home.
Speaking to Sports Tak, the 42-year-old former cricketer said, “Hot favourites are India. They have the mindset of a world-beater. In the recent past, say in the last 10–12 years, wherever India are playing, they are considered hot favourites. That is special from India.”
“And when the tournaments happen in India, when big matches happen in India in bilateral series, the opposition has very little chance. Their success rate is very high. But, when big tournaments come, I think India is lacking in just one aspect. In the recent past, in ICC events, they were not able to perform in the big matches. They have lost crunch matches; against England, they lost the semi-final. In 2017, in the Champions Trophy final, they lost. Then also, they were favourites. This is a pinching point as far as India is concerned. India now have a point to prove to the world. They should come and perform well in ICC major events,” he added.
He also rated Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming tournament that will take place in October and November and said, “Pakistan also will have their chances. They have one of the most versatile and lethal bowling attacks in the world. If you look at the fast bowlers, they are match-winners. When you talk about spin-bowling, there are Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Nawaz. There is a new young pace bowling talent in Ihsanullah; he can also bowl in excess of 150 kph and hit the good areas.”
“Pakistan playing in India, they have to also deal with pressure. Playing in India will mean a lot of pressure. A lot will depend on how much momentum Pakistan takes into the World Cup and how the dressing room atmosphere is created to deal with pressure,” he added.
