Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has said that based on the bowling of the two sides, Pakistan has a 60% chance of defeating India in their upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 encounter.
India and Pakistan will clash on the biggest stage in the cricket world at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15. Before that, Pakistan will play against the two qualifying teams in Hyderabad, while India will open their campaign on October 8 in Chennai against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and then face Asian rivals Afghanistan on October 11 in Delhi.
India has an unbeatable record against the 1992 ODI World Cup champions and has won each of the seven games they have faced in the ODI World Cup over the course of the last 31 years. The game, however, will be brand-new, and both teams will have an equal opportunity to produce a successful outcome in front of over a thousand spectators at the venerable Narendra Modi Stadium.
When asked for his thoughts on the upcoming match between India and Pakistan, Saeed Ajmal said on the Nadir Ali podcast:
“India’s batting has always been strong. Our bowling is dangerous. It will be a battle of equals. Right now, I would say Pakistan has a 60% chance of winning. (Are Pakistan favorites?) Yes. In Indian conditions, considering the bowlers Pakistan has, if Pakistan keeps them down to a low score, Pakistan will win.”
India had defeated Pakistan in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup and then in the 2015 World Cup and 2019 World Cup as well. Pakistan has only defeated India once in World Cup tournament, in the 2021 T20 World Cup encounter in Dubai.
“I Don’t Think India’s Bowling Will Be Much Of A Threat For Pakistan”- Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal said that India’s bowling lineup has never been their strong aspect during the same conversation. He believed that Jasprit Bumrah may have caused trouble for Pakistan, but he has been having fitness issues.
He said: “India’s bowling lineup has always been weak,” said Ajmal. “Of late, Siraj has bowled well. Shami has been bowling well. Among spinners, I think Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial in World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah could have been a threat for Pakistan, but he has been unfit for quite some time. I don’t think India’s bowling will be much of a threat for Pakistan.”
Saeed Ajmal played in the 2011 Cricket World Cup semifinal between Pakistan and India. He finished with a spell of 2/44 off 10 overs in that game.