Karachi : In an recent interview with media, 39 years old Pakistani all, Mohd. Hafeez believes that India, Pakistan and England will be the top three favorites in this years’ world cup. Even though, the Pakistan team had faced defeats from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, the all rounder still believes that his team still has some character to win the world cup.
Pakistan, who is struggling in white ball cricket even playing at familiar pitches like Dubai and Abu Dhabi didn’t able to win a series against Kiwis and Australia. Australia defeated them by 5-0 which was very unusual stat for a home team. Whereas, the kiwis also trashed them by 3-1. The sad part is that both the series were played in their home conditions. Moreover, Hafeez is very confident that his team has some potential to beat India in the World Cup and can repeat what they did to them in Champions trophy finals. According to him Pakistan has some quality batsman and bowlers for making their chance to win the World Cup.
Hafeez said, “Even from a critical point of view I think we are among the top three favourites for the World Cup. England is always favourites given the brand of cricket they are playing while India has developed a very good ODI side and have some great spinners in their line up.”
In addition to this he also said ,”In the group system team usually don’t get second chances and remember in 2007 both India and Pakistan were eliminated in the first round.”
He believes that whenever both teams(India an Pakistan) met each other in the past they always showed respect and love to each other and enjoyed their stay there. Hafeez who is recovering from right thumb injury, believes that he will be fit soon and start playing after 2-3 weeks, ‘I am very hopeful I will be fit before World Cup and can make the squad. I have played 2 World Cups and as a senior player I want to be the part of this campaign as well. In the last World Cup I got injured in New Zealand Before the World Cup and that experience was devastating,”