ICC World Cup 2023: Wasim Akram makes big prediction about Pakistan
"We have a good side...a very good one-day side and are led by one of the modern-day greats in Babar Azam," says Wasim Akram
June 27, 2023
After the schedule for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 was announced, Pakistan's veteran cricketer Wasim Akram bucked up the Men in Green for putting up a good show during the mega event due this year in India.
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign on October 6 in a match against Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad.
Lauding Pakistan captain Babar Azam in a conversation with ICC, the former skipper said that the home side was led by one of the "modern-day greats".
"We have a good side...a very good one-day side and are led by one of the modern-day greats in Babar Azam."
"As long as they are fit and as long as they play according to the plan, they will have a chance of doing well in that World Cup because it is played in our type of conditions in India on the sub-continent.
"I think he can [get better] as he is the best player we have.
"The whole country follows him, everything he does. He gets people into the stadium and it doesn't matter whether it is T20, one-dayers or Test cricket and, in my opinion, he has the most beautiful cover drive in the world."
It must be noted that the ICC announced the schedule for the World Cup 2023 earlier today.
10 teams will fight for the elusive title across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the tournament opener and the final.
The tournament will be played in the round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.
The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
“We are delighted to release the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule which is always a huge occasion ahead of any global event," ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, said.
“Hundreds of millions of fans around the world will be part of what we hope will be the greatest ever Men’s Cricket World Cup and we know in India the teams will enjoy a unique electric atmosphere concluding with the winners lifting the trophy in the biggest cricket stadium in the world in Ahmedabad.”
