It has been now 27 years since 1992 in Australia when India kicked off their World Cup match-winning campaign against their arch-rivals Pakistan, but former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan is hopeful that the Men in Green will turn the tables by breaking the jinx while winning the game against Virat Kohli-led India in the upcoming 2019 World Cup.
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Moin further believes Pakistan has enough firepower to give a tough time to India in the quadrennial event, starting May 30 in England and Wales.
While speaking to Pakistan-based new channel GTV, Moin added the current lot has been optimistic, adding they are talented enough to take challenges head-on. He remarked the team has a lot on offer under the tutelage of Sarfraz Ahmed.
The 47-year-old Moin has backed Sarfraz as a skipper for the ODI showpiece.
“This should be a very interesting World Cup and I am backing Pakistan to beat India. This present team is very capable of recording a first win over India in a World Cup because there is talent, there is depth and variety and Sarfraz Ahmed has now gelled the squad well,” Moin said.
On June 16, the two top-notch teams will face off at the Old Trafford in Manchester.
Recently, Pakistan has thrashed India by 180 runs in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final. While backing his thoughts, Moin reckons the UK conditions will suit bowlers who have been doing exceeding well.
“I say this because our boys beat them (India) in the Champions Trophy two years back. And I just feel that in English conditions in June we have better bowlers,” Moin added.
Moin backs players:
Moin, who himself was the part of 1992 and 1999 World Cup campaigns respectively for Pakistan. But he saw his team losing out against India on both occasions. However, as of now, he believes the current team is in good stead to deliver for Pakistan.
Of late, Pakistan had a decent outing in England which saw them level the Test series.
“Our boys are in good spirits. And it is good they will go into the competition after having played ODI matches against South Africa, Australia, and England,” Moin signed off.
Post his retirement in 2004, Moin has served as the chief selector and the general manager under the ambit of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He has also backed the idea of three-week long training camp for the national team to acclimatise to the English conditions.
The right-handed batsman Moin who represented Pakistan between 1990 to 2004 featured in 219 ODIs and 69 Tests for Pakistan. He amassed 3266 runs in 50-over format and 2741 runs in the traditional circuit. Across formats, he has registered four hundreds and 27 fifties.