Veteran India spinner R Ashwin believes that the upcoming India-Pakistan match at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will be a closely contested one. He also shared how the previous few matches featuring the two Asian teams were nail-biting affairs. Talking about Pakistan’s formidable pace attack, Ashwin predicted that they will give a tough fight to India.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “The last few games between India and Pakistan have been extraordinary. I think we can expect another blockbuster India-Pakistan game. It is going to be an equally balanced game because Pakistan also have a quality seam attack.”

However, India and Pakistan are scheduled to play against each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15. Notably, India have a flawless 7-0 record against Pakistan in ODI World Cups. He also added that Afghanistan could spoil the party of a few teams in the mega event.

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“I feel Afghanistan might challenge a few teams this year. Last time, during 2011 World Cup, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals. Of course, Bangladesh is a very good side. But I feel Afghanistan will create a few upsets this year. They played really well during the last World Cup too. But in these conditions, you cannot really run through their side with fast bowling. We all know their spin strength with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Zakir Khan.”

The veteran spinner also believes that India have a great chance of winning the trophy this time. He also shared that India are the favorites to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as well.

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“The whole social media buzz will be about whether India will be able to get an ICC trophy. We have been following this theme for so many years now asking, ‘Can India end the ICC trophy drought?’. If you ask me, this is ridiculous. India are a strong team. Except for a few factors, India have a great chance this time around. I want to call this Mission 2023 World Cup. India have got a kickass chance. I know we have been hearing this a lot now on how India start as favourites before almost every ICC tournament. We went into the 2019 World Cup as strong favourites. But all teams have had equal chances during every ICC event. If you ask me, any cricket match starts at 50:50. But India do start as favourites ahead of this 2023 World Cup,” R Ashwin concluded.