Michael Atherton has made a daring prediction regarding the upcoming ODI World Cup, suggesting that Pakistan will break their losing streak against India, marking their first victory in the tournament’s history. The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, often likened to the El Clásico of cricket, is renowned for its intensity and global appeal.
Throughout the history of ICC ODI World Cup tournaments, India and Pakistan have squared off seven times. Remarkably, India has emerged victorious in every encounter, maintaining an unblemished record against Pakistan. This streak of victories commenced with a 43-run win in a significant match, setting the tone for their dominance.
In the 2019 World Cup, India secured an 18-run victory against Pakistan, adding to their unbroken series of wins. While the first match between the two teams in the recent Asia Cup was a washout, India prevailed in the Super 4 stage by a substantial margin. The upcoming clash between India and Pakistan on October 14 in Ahmedabad promises to be a highlight of this year’s World Cup.
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During a discussion on Sky Sports, Atherton expressed his belief that Pakistan will triumph over India this time, breaking their losing streak and claiming their first-ever World Cup victory against their arch-rivals. The former England captain further noted that the October 14 match is likely to be the most significant encounter in the tournament, unless the two teams meet again in a semi-final or, perhaps even more dramatically, in the final.
“In my bold prediction, I’m stating that Pakistan will defeat India for the first time in a 50-over World Cup. They have yet to win out of seven encounters over the years. It’s bound to be the most significant game of the tournament, unless they cross paths again in a semi-final or, could you imagine, the final. The stadium is sure to be packed, chaos will ensue, and maybe Pakistan will pull off a surprise,” remarked Michael Atherton.
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Pakistan will commence their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6, while India is scheduled to face Australia on October 8 in Chennai. The much-anticipated India-Pakistan encounter on October 14 is poised to captivate cricket fans worldwide, given Atherton’s bold prediction and the historic rivalry between the two nations.
