Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan believes the present national team has the firepower to break its World Cup jinx against India and register the country's maiden win over the neighbours in the upcoming ICC 50-over mega-event in the UK.
It’s the most famed streak in sub-continental cricket – six previous World Cup meetings between the arch-rivals, from 1992 upto the last edition in 2015, have all gone in India’s favour.
But it could be seventh time lucky for Pakistan, if their wicketkeeper-batsman from the ‘90s is to be believed.
“This present team is very capable of recording a first win over India in a World Cup because there is talent, there is depth and variety and Sarfaraz Ahmed has now gelled the squad well.”Moin Khan to GTV News
Having himself featured in World Cup losses to India in 1992 and 1999 – campaigns which were otherwise hugely successful for Pakistan – Moin reckons Pakistan will be buoyed by the confidence gained from defeating their rivals in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, also in England.
“I say this because our boys beat them (India) in the Champions Trophy two years back and I just feel that in English conditions in June we have better bowlers.”Moin Khan to GTV News
Moin still feels India and England will be the teams to beat this World Cup, but is optimistic of Pakistan’s chances owing to a combination of “good spirits” and recent experience of playing big guns in the ODI game.
“This should be a very interesting World Cup and I am backing Pakistan to beat India. Our boys are in good spirits and it is good they will go into the competition after having played ODI matches against South Africa, Australia and England,” he said.
The 47-year-old supported the move to hold a three-week training camp in England before the World Cup, saying it would help the players in acclimatising to the conditions.
“Pakistan has been one team which has done well in England in the last many years and in May-June the weather can be unpredictable and there is moisture in the pitches,” said Moin.
Moin, who has held the roles of Pakistan manager and chief selector since his retirement in 2004, voiced his support to Sarfraz Ahmed’s return as captain for the World Cup.
“I don’t know why all this fuss was made about the captaincy after the ban imposed on him for a incident blown out of proportion to my mind. I have seen Sarfraz lead the team and I know since he was a junior and I have captained and coached him and I can tell you there is no better person to lead the Pakistan team than him now.”Moin Khan to GTV News
Sarfraz had been slapped with a four-match ban by the ICC for racist remarks towards Andile Phehlukwayo during the second game of Pakistan’s recently-concluded ODI series in South Africa.
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