Pakistan is a very difficult team to stop for any opponent at the major ICC events once they get some momentum given their 1992 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy success, said Javed Miandad, ahead of the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup to be played in England and Wales from 30 May.
The Men in Green have always been an unpredictable side who can get the better of any team on their day, as they have surprised one and all by winning their only World title in 1992 and Champions Trophy despite entering into the ICC events as the lowest-ranked side.
Miandad, a member of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning team, believes that Pakistan has a good CWC 2019 squad with some excellent players and the opponents should be wary of the fact that they are unbeatable once they get some momentum in the tournament.
On Friday, 17th May, Miandad told Sky Sports, “Let's be clear about the fact that Pakistan, despite recent setbacks, is a good side with some excellent players.”
He continued, “One thing about Pakistan that everyone should be wary of is that when they get going, it's difficult to stop this team from winning. No one gave us a chance to win the 1992 World Cup but we were victorious then, and the same happened at the Champions Trophy in 2017 as well. Once they get some momentum, Pakistan is a very difficult team to stop for any opponent."
"I have seen some criticism of Sarfraz as captain but if there was a better leader than Sarfraz or a better wicketkeeper, which is his primary job, then he would have been selected by now. I feel Sarfraz will continue to do well as captain for Pakistan in the World Cup as he showed when he led his side to victory in the Champions Trophy.”
Meanwhile, former Pak captain has admitted that England has an advantage as host but picked India, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan as other top contenders for the World title.
He added, “I accept that England is playing at home and have an advantage but let's not forget that other sides like India, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan are very capable of winning the World Cup, too.”
Miandad signed off by saying, “England are ranked as the number one side in ODIs at the moment and appear to be one of the top contenders to win the tournament but in my view, the World Cup will be won by the side that makes the most of the opportunities they are offered and grabs those chances with both hands. As well as that, the pressure of playing at home in a World Cup can be a heavy burden for some hosts.”
(With Sky Sports Inputs)
