Last Update on: October 3rd, 2023 at 10:35 am
As the cricketing world gears up for the highly-anticipated ICC World Cup 2023, former England captain Nasser Hussain has opened up on Pakistan’s unpredictable nature.
The Men in Green are one of the strong contenders for the competition. Although they have faced criticism for their poor performance in the Asia Cup last month, there are not many who would bet against them in the World Cup. In Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf, Pakistan have a number of reliable match-winners in their ranks.
Pakistan have not won the ODI World Cup since Imran Khan led them to their first title way back in 1992. Their performance in recent editions of the tournament has not been up to the mark. In the last edition of the tournament, they failed to make it to the semifinal and would be desperate to make amends in the forthcoming competition.
Nasser Hussain on Pakistan’s unpredictability:
Ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, Nasser Hussain has talked about their unpredictable cricket style. Pakistan does have a reputation for registering unexpected wins and losses. While time and again, they have stunned superior opponents on their day, they have also suffered a number of famous defeats against minnows.
And as they gear up for the upcoming World Cup, Nasser Hussain has said that they might lose to Netherlands in their first game. Pakistan will launch their campaign by taking on the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad. He also predicted that Pakistan could beat any team if they managed to post an above-par total.
“I think they [Pakistan] are very good tournament side. They have got Netherlands up from first game, they could lose that. That is Pakistan for you. But then they’ll go on a run. You look at the last World T20.
“They were out of it and then suddenly they are in the final. They are mercurial because that is the brand and style of cricket they play. They are incredibly watchable side,” Nasser Hussain said.
“If they get an above-par score against you, any team in the World Cup, you are in trouble,” he added.
Meanwhile, the thirteenth edition of the World Cup is scheduled to get underway on Thursday (October 5). Reigning champions England will take on New Zealand in the tournament opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
