Former Pakistani pacer and fondly remembered as ‘Rawalpindi Express’, Shoaib Akhtar has declared Pakistan as a favorite for the Asia Cup and also the ODI World Cup.
He has also stated that the Men in Green have a good pace trio in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Currently, Pakistan are undefeated in the ongoing Asia Cup and their bowlers have occupied the top three spots in the leading wicket-takers list.
Akhtar says that Pakistan has the ability to generate great fast bowlers over and over again and he has also named Shaheen Afridi as the best pacer in modern cricket.
I am very happy that Pakistan is able to produce such fast bowlers over and over again. I don’t know what the reason is. First, there used to be a lot of fast bowlers from Punjab. Now, there is one from Rawalpindi, and two are Pathans. And the Pathans are very, very rugged and tough. One of the best fast bowlers in the world right now, I would say, is Shaheen Shah Afridi. He is on top of his career right now. Haris Rauf has the same mindset again to take wickets.
According to Akhtar, Pakistan has the capability to win both the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup.
Akhtar says Pakistan will go into the ODI World Cup as favourites
Adding further, he says,
Pakistan will go into India, land in India as the favourites. I will be very honest with you. And Asia Cup at the same time, I think they are one of the favourites. And India and Pakistan are the two teams playing in the subcontinent, beating India in India is going to be the most impossible thing, but beating Pakistan in India in the subcontinent, it’s going to be a close to impossible.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan will be at loggerheads tomorrow for their rematch in the Asia Cup for the Super 4 stage.
The ACC has kept a special reserve day for this game in case rain destroys it on Sunday.
Follow Crickdom on Twitter for more.
For more cricket updates, make sure to follow us on:
