Pakistan can win World Cup: Zaheer

ISLAMABAD: Former Test player Zaheer Abbas on Tuesday predicted his best of five teams whom he thinks have the capability to win the World Cup 2019.

Keeping Pakistan on top of the list, he said the unpredictable Greenshirts have it all to win the tournament.

Talking to APP, the Asian Bradman said besides Pakistan, he believed India, Australia, England and New Zealand also have good chances of excelling in the mega event.

Zaheer said Pakistan need to come out strong in their opening match against the West Indies on Friday. “Pakistan should win the first match to boost their confidence and morale, which has been shattered by Afghanistan in the warm-up match,” he said.

Zaheer said losing to a low-ranked Afghanistan team was disappointing but we must hope for the best as the event has yet to kick-off. “Pakistan must win the first two to three games in the World Cup and should maintain the winning streak,” he said.

Speaking about the pitches in England, he said they look like a batsmen’s paradise. “Pakistani players would have to put their best in all departments including batting, bowling and fielding in the World Cup,” he said and added our batsmen would have to perform extraordinarily to put up good total on the scoreboard or to chase big targets.

To a question, he said I am more than hopeful that Pakistan will end their World Cup losing streak against India this time.

“Pakistani players must keep their focus straight in the World Cup instead of getting panic if a situation occurs,” he said.

Zaheer said even in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan started poorly and also lost to India in the first game by 124 runs.

“But Greenshirts then defeated top-ranked South Africa by 19 runs in their next game followed by beating Sri Lanka by three wickets in their final group match and then outplayed England by eight wickets in the semi-finals,” he said, and added it was Pakistan’s first qualification to a Champions Trophy final.

Zaheer said the people had lost hope for Pakistan as the team started poorly in the tournament. “But Pakistan proved their unpredictability by thrashing India to win the mega event.” He said we cannot underestimate the Pakistan team as it has all the capabilities to excel and win the tournament. “Therefore beating India and breaking the jinx is not a tough task for Pakistan,” he said.