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Last Updated: October 02, 2023, 09:02 IST
Babar Azam enters the ODI World Cup as world’s top-ranked batter. (AP Photo)
Pakistan may have a scratchy build-up to world cup but they are still one of the favourites to win the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The predictions are flying thick and fast with just a couple of days remaining for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The ODI showpiece is slated to get underway from October 5 when defending champions England take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India, England, Australia and Pakistan are among the favourites to win the trophy while South Africa and New Zealand are the dark horses.
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Among the most anticipated clashes at the world cup is the one between India and Pakistan on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
And two-time world cup winner Gautam Gambhir expects captains of the two rivals – Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam – to have a fruitful tournament with the bat.
Rohit has an excellent record when playing at home and has scored 4148 runs at 58.42 from 80 matches in India.
“The kind of ability he (Rohit) has. India are playing the World Cup at home. We all know about Rohit Sharma’s record at home. He has three or four double hundreds. So I’m sure he will be really looking forward to and he will be eager to turn it around for India,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.
Gambhir predicts that Babar will score three-four centuries during the world cup.
“The kind of technique Babar Azam has, I think he will score three or four centuries for Pakistan in this World Cup,” Gambhir said.
The former India opener had earlier praised Babar saying he has a ‘different level of quality’ than his peers.
“Babar Azam can set this World Cup on fire. I have seen a lot of players with so much time to bat. I think that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root are there, but Babar Azam has a different level of quality,” Gambhir had said.
Pakistan will face Netherlands in their first match on October 6 in Hyderabad.
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