ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Winner Predicted by Wasim Akram

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Winner Predicted by Wasim Akram: Pakistan's former fast bowler and captain Wasim Akram ranks Pakistan atop against all other teams in the world to lift the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India owing to its fast bowling lineup. Akram reckons Babar Azam-led Pakistan is a strong contender to win the marquee ICC tournament slated to be held in the month of October-November, later this year.

Talking to Sports Tak, Wasim Akram said Pakistan's fast bowling unit is currently second to none in world cricket and possesses the quality to lift the coveted trophy.

?Our captain is a great player and we have one of the best fast-bowling lineups in the world,? Akram said on Sports Tak.

He cited how lethal Shaheen Shah Afridi can be, who has recently led his Pakistan Super League (PSL) team to tournament victory. Besides Afridi, the likes of Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf make Pakistan's fast bowling unit special.

?Shaheen Afridi is currently in prime form. He has led his team to victory in the PSL for the second time. He is developing pretty well as an all-rounder. Then there is Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. (Mohammad) Hasnain is there, Ihsanullah is an exciting young fast bowler," he added.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that because the nature of pitches in India is largely batter's friendly, team with a formidable bowlers will eventually succeed in making it through.

?I think because the World Cup is happening in India, it is the team with the stronger bowling attack that will succeed because the pitches tend to be batter friendly,? he said.

In-swinging deliveries have troubled Indian batters: Wasim Akram

Akram then went on to address the Indian batter's shortcoming to tackle the in-swinging deliveries. He said although the angling deliveries have troubled the Indians, they would find a way to pass the problem.

?It is the angle that makes it difficult and especially when ball the comes in," he said. "At the same time, India have some great top-order player. Be it,?Virat Kohli, be it,?Rohit Sharma and?KL Rahul, all of them are greats of the game and they will figure out the problems.?

Notably, the Indian top order faced a similar challenge against Mitchell Starc in the recently held 2nd ODI between IND and AUS. Starc wreaked havoc with his moving deliveries and dismissed the Indian top order in his first spell.

In fact, Starc went on to scalp his career's ninth ODI five-wicket haul during the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI. Lauding the pacer's abilities, Akram said: ?Let?s give credit to Mitchell Starc. He bowled brilliantly and the pitch was also very lively. And the way the ball was seaming around at one point I thought I am seeing a match in Australia or New Zealand."

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For more details head to BCCI?s official website.