West Indies cricket legend Sir Viv Richards has predicted that Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi will be the leading wicket-taker in the forthcoming ODI World Cup in India, as he has the skillset to rattle opponents in any conditions, while Jacques Kallis has predicted Jos Buttler will be the leading run-scorer in the mega event.
The marquee event is scheduled to be hosted by India from 5 October to 19 November 2023 and With the ODI World Cup scheduled to start in two months, many former cricketers have picked their choice of players, who can produce impactful performance in the tournament.
Speaking on the ICC, Having spent some time with Shaheen Afridi during the PSL, Viv Richards has picked the left-arm speedster to top the wicket-taking list in the ODI World Cup and believes that the Left-arm pacer is a highly determined individual to deliver well for the team in the mega event later this year.
“The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup will be Shaheen Afridi because I have seen him in Pakistan. I spent some time in the PSL and I have seen his massive growth. [He is a] highly determined individual. He is my man,” Viv Richards said.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has made a name for himself with his brilliant performances for Pakistan at the international level in all three formats of the game as he can get the ball to move either way at a high pace and can be handy in the death overs.
The 23-year-old is expected to play a vital role for Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 and the left-arm pacer has grown with experience over the years and will look to lead the Pakistan pace attack in an all-important event.
I think Jos Buttler Is Going To Be The One Guy That Stands Out – Jacques Kallis
Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has picked England skipper Jos Butler as the leading run-getter in the marquee event in India and feels that he might do well in the Indian condition and believes that he will be crucial for England’s chance in the mega event.
“I think Jos Buttler will be the leading run-scorer. Outside call, but I fancy him in those conditions along with England having a good World Cup. I think he’s going to be the one guy that stands out,” Jacques Kallis said.
Jos Buttler can be a key player for the England team in the ODI World Cup later this year as he can play at any position in the batting order alongside his brilliant wicket-keeping skills for the team. The English wicket-keeper batter perfectly times the bat–and he has a good game plan against pace and spin and will look to help them defend their ODI World Cup title in India.