IND vs PAK: Pakistan Cricket Team To Beat India In 2023 World Cup, Predicts Ex-England Captain Michael Atherton

Former England captain Michael Atherton has backed Pakistan to beat India in the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup. The arch-rivals are scheduled to clash against each other on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India have a stunning track record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. The Men in Blue are yet to lose against Pakistan in the tournament. Both the teams have played 7 games against each other in the marquee event and India have won each one of them.

However, Michael Atherton has boldly predicted that Pakistan will beat India for the first time in an ODI World Cup this year. The former cricketer-turned-commentator believes the Men in Green have a good chance of beating India for the first time in the ongoing competition. He stated that Pakistan does have the ability to spring a surprise against India.

Michael Atherton makes a bold prediction

“As my bold prediction, I’m saying that for the first time in a 50-over World Cup Pakistan will beat India. They have won zero out of seven over the years. It’s going to be the biggest game of the tournament, unless they meet again in a semi-final or, could you imagine, the final. It is sure to be a packed house; it will be mayhem and maybe Pakistan will jump a surprise,” Michael Atherton said on Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, the 2023 World Cup got underway on Thursday (October 5) with the game between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad. New Zealand thrashed the defending champions by nine wickets to get their campaign underway in style.

On Friday (October 6), Pakistan will be in action against the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. India, on the other hand, are scheduled to open their campaign on Sunday (October 8) against five-time world champions Australia.

India vs Pakistan head-to-head record:

India have a hundred percent winning record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. The arch-rivals first met in the competition in 1992 and India emerged victorious by 43 runs. Since then, they have ended up on the winning side seven times in a row while Pakistan are yet to taste victory.