Former England captain Michael Atherton has backed Pakistan to register its first win over India in Cricket World Cup history when the two sides clash on October 14 in Ahmedabad in the CWC 2023.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, is often called bigger than even the Ashes and attracts eyeballs from all over the world.
India is unbeaten in the Cricket World Cups against Pakistan having a 7-0 lead over their rivals. India defeated Pakistan in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Cup tournaments.
They recently met in the Asia Cup 2023 where their group stage encounter was washed out due to rain. Their Super 4s stage match saw India registering a 228-run win over Pakistan.
Atherton said that he feels that Pakistan will beat India this time around and win their first match against their arch-rivals in the Cricket World Cup.
The former England captain also said that the match on October 14 will be the biggest match of this year's World Cup unless both sides meet in the final or semi-final.
"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," said Atherton on Sky Sports.
Pakistan will begin its campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 while India will face Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
