New Delhi : Batting great Zaheer Abbas feels that considering India’s recent dismal show in Australia, Pakistan has a golden chance this time to break the jinx of not beating the defending champions in a World Cup match.
Pakistan could never win against arch rivals India in the last five meetings of the World Cup.
“I think Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will make it to the semi-finals. The fourth team will be either India or Pakistan. Hence, the first match is very crucial and it will be really a high voltage contest,” Abbas said.
“Pakistan could never win against India in a World Cup but they have a golden chance to break that jinx this time.
“I have seen India’s performance in Australia and their first practice match against the hosts, so I can say that. I hope that Pakistan can find their team combination right as the injury list is growing day by day,” he said.
“India are the defending champions, so there will be more pressure on them to perform as compared to Pakistan,” said the 67-year-old Abbas.
“Indian team is experienced while Pakistan has a young team. They don’t have bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis now. Indian batting is strong but they are not performing well in Australia. They could not win a single match their but we cannot write them off,” he said. “World cup is a different tournament and handling the pressure will be the key as far as India-Pakistan match is concerned,” he added. —PTI
