The build to the upcoming cricket world cup has allready started with all the 10 participating teams making sure that they get the right combination before the start of the marquee event. The world cup will get underway from May 30 and will continue till July 14.
England are the firm favourites to lift the trophy, however some experts claim India to be a force to reckon with alongside Pakistan, who will be high in confidence after triumph in 2017 champions trophy in English conditions.
England disappointed in the 2011 and 2015 edition of the world cup where they were eliminated from the group stage owing to defeats against the minnows. The selectors and team management entrusted the young guns to the job after the 2015 world cup and results started reflecting thereafter. The Three Lions are now the top ranked ODI team followed by India at number two.
The men in blue have played consistent cricket from the 2015 world cup and this can be understood by the fact that they have won the most games in ODI cricket since 2015.
Shoaib Malik makes a prediction
During a question and answer session, one of Akhtar’s follower asked him about three favourites to win the world cup and interestingly, the Rawalpindi express came up with an unexpected answer. The 43-year-old predicted that England, Australia and Pakistan are the favourites to win the silverware.
Pakistan was recently whitewashed by Australia 5-0 in the recently concluded ODI series in United Arab Emirates(UAE) while Australia has gained momentum after eking out series win against India in India and Pakistan in UAE.
Akhtar also backed Mohammad Amir to be in Pakistan’s world cup squad, quoting that the left arm pacer will be influential in English conditions. Amir was instrumental in guiding Pakistan to triumph in 2017 Champions trophy but since then he has just picked five wickets with a poor average of 92.60.
