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.
Vivian Richards make a prediction
The former Caribbean great opines that Pakistan may easily win the world cup if their batting clicks in the tournament. Richards has been supporting Pakistan cricket in the recent while as he is currently the mentor of PSL team Quetta Gladiators where he has worked with many talented and upcoming Pakistani cricketers.
“They have the talent. I find that the bowling unit of Pakistan is very good. If the batsmen can perform to the best of their abilities then I believe Pakistan has the chance,” Richards said in an interview with The News.
Richards further went onto say that India is also the top contender of the tournament owing to their impressive win record after 2017 Champions trophy. He mentioned that West Indies are also the contenders after they challenged England in the recently concluded ODI series which was drawn 2-2.
New Zealand have played impressive cricket in the recent while and Richards feels the black caps are the dark horses of the tournament.
Factor favouring Pakistan
Pakistan won the world cup in 1992 which was played in round robin format where every participating team played each other and the top four qualified for the semi-final stage of the tournament. The format is returning after six editions in the 2019 world cup which may again give a physiological edge to the men in green.
