PAK vs CAN: Canada will beat Pakistan claims Ambati Rayudu

Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu has made a huge claim about the Canadian team having what it takes to beat Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup tonight. 

Pakistan, after consecutive losses against the USA and India, will arrive at the Nassau County Stadium in New York to beat Canada. Not just beat but the Green Army will have to beat the Canadians by a heavy margin so that their net run rate can improve a bit. Their position in Group A is irrelevant at the moment as they must win tonight to stay alive. 

Why does Ambati Rayudu feel Canada can beat Pakistan? 

It seems as if Ambati Rayudu has made it a habit to make bold claims and statements against players and teams in cricket. A month ago, he was pointing out Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru cryptically but now his focus has shifted to team Pakistan. Rayudu didn't want to hurt anyone that's why he had given a disclaimer even before making the statement. 

While speaking to Star Sports in the build-up to Canada Vs Pakistan, Ambati Rayudu was asked about the favorites of this match. To that, Rayudu gave a very Rayudu kind of answer, one that might or might not have any logic. But regardless, the 6-time Indian Premier League winner with CSK and MI feels the North Americans have a better chance than the 1-time T20 World Champions.

Given their track record in the recent past and this World T20 championship, Ambati Rayudu backed the Canadians to cause another upset. Canada defeated Ireland in their previous Group A game and the former CSK and MI fan feels Pakistan can emulate the Irish team by losing to the minnows. 

Not that Ambati Rayudu has any intentions to insult Pakistan cricket but due to their recent performances, Rayudu claimed the Men in Green will lose. The former batsman even claimed that any team in the world can come on top of them at the moment. If that's not an insult, then what is? And if it's not enough for the Pakistanis to step up their game, then no one knows what will. 

"Definitely Canada, the way they (Pakistan) are playing, anyone will beat them. I am not insulting Pakistan cricket. However, the way they are playing currently, any team will come out on top against them." - Rayudu said via Star Sports.

Piyush Chawla disagrees with Rayudu

Former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla had a different thought to it. Chawla, who featured for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, claimed that Pakistan is the favorite because of the experience they have and that Canada is still a new team. The Pakistanis have their backs against the wall but they are not that poor to lose to them.

"I will go with a little experience here because Pakistan have been playing international cricket for such a long time and Canada are extremely new. The scales are tilted towards Pakistan only." - Chawla told Star Sports.