The anticipation for the 2023 ODI World Cup grows as the opening clash between England and New Zealand approaches on October 5 in Ahmedabad. With less than two months left until this marquee event, teams are intensively preparing for their participation in India’s exclusive hosting of the tournament for the first time.
Rashid Latif, former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, has expressed his apprehensions regarding Asian teams in the upcoming World Cup. The 54-year-old voiced his concerns about these teams struggling during the middle overs, where a higher strike rate becomes imperative. According to Latif, teams like England, Australia, and New Zealand possess an advantage due to their batters’ ability to employ innovative strokeplay to accelerate their scoring.
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Rashid Latif stated on the Cricket Baaz YouTube channel, “The one area where I feel Asian teams will struggle to match these sides are particularly in the middle overs when a fast strike rate is required even in 50-overs. The English, Australian and New Zealand batters have turned to reverse sweep and switch shots against the spinners into something very lethal nowadays.”
Latif also noted India’s numerous personnel changes in positions four to seven in the batting order, which he believes could negatively impact the team’s prospects. He further speculated that Virat Kohli’s absence as the team’s leader might be a factor in India’s perceived lack of complete readiness for the mega event.
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“The Indian team management has experimented with several players, and if I talk about their batting, the middle and lower order, say from 4 to 7, they just have not allowed any new player to settle down with frequent changes. If they had allowed Virat Kohli to continue as captain, India would be 100 percent ready for the World Cup by this time,” Rashid Latif concluded.
The ‘Men in Blue’ will embark on their World Cup journey on October 8, commencing their campaign against the five-time champions Australia in Chennai.
