(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] In what will probably be the most intense battle in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup, India will face Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 14.
India maintain a perfect record over Pakistan in the ODI World Cups, getting better of them on all seven occasions they have met in this ICC 50-over event. In their last meeting in 2019, India attained an easy win by 89 runs via DLS method.
The Men in Blue will again enter the fixture as favourites after having won the Asia Cup 2023. However, England pundit Michael Atherton differs on this.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Atherton predicted a Pakistan victory, saying that Babar Azam and Co. will create history by ending their losing streak against India in the ODI World Cups.
Notably, Pakistan won their first every T20 World Cup game versus India under Babar’s captaincy only in 2021.
“As my bold prediction, I’m saying that for the first time in a 50-over
World Cup Pakistan will beat India. They have won zero out of seven over
the years. It’s going to be the biggest game of the tournament, unless
they meet again in a semi-final or, could you imagine, the final. It is
sure to be a packed house; it will be mayhem and maybe Pakistan will
jump a surprise,” said Atherton.
As Atherton stated, the India versus Pakistan World Cup bout will be a blockbuster. 1,32,000 people will be in attendance to watch these two teams square off in Ahmedabad.