Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez highlighted India’s inability to handle pressure in the big matches in the ICC events and said that it is the only thing that can hamper their chances to win the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, otherwise, they are hot favorites to reclaim the trophy at home.
Hafeez said on Sports Tak: “Hot favorites are India. India have a big plus point because in the recent past, I feel like it started from the era of Sourav Ganguly. They have the mindset of a world-beater. From there, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli carried on. In the recent past, say in the last 10-12 years, wherever India are playing, they are considered as hot favorites. That is special from India.”
He continued, “And when the tournaments happen in India, when big matches happen in India, in bilateral series, oppositions have very little chance. Their success rate is very high. But, when big tournaments come, I think India is lacking in just one aspect. In the recent past, in ICC events, they are not able to perform in the big matches.”
Former Pakistan all-rounder said that Team India can’t handle the pressure of big matches in the mega event and that’s why they haven’t won the World Cup since 2011.
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Hafeez further mentioned, “You can describe it many ways, but the pressure of playing in knockout matches in ICC events, that is not there in bilateral series. It's quite similar to playing domestic cricket and international cricket. It's difficult to describe the pressure of playing in ICC knockout matches. India has not been able to handle that pressure in major events.”
He added, “They have lost crunch matches, against England they lost the semi-final. In 2017, in the Champions Trophy final, they lost. Then also, they were favorites. This is a pinching point as far as India are concerned. India now has a point to prove to the world. They should come and perform well in ICC major events.”
Speaking about Pakistan’s chances to win ODI World Cup this year, the former all-rounder said: “Pakistan also will have their chances. They have one of the most versatile and lethal bowling attacks in the world. If you look at the fast-bowlers, they are match-winners. If you look at Shaheen Afridi, if he is fit and firing, the entire world wants to watch him in action. When you talk about spin-bowling, there are Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz. There is a new young pace-bowling talent in Ihsanullah, he can also bowl in excess of 150 kph and hit the good areas.”
He signed off by saying, “Pakistan playing in India have to also deal with pressure. Playing in India will mean a lot of pressure. A lot will depend on how much momentum Pakistan take into the World Cup and how the dressing room atmosphere is created to deal with pressure.”
