Wasim Akram sends out warning to Rohit and Co. before England clash at WC
Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram believes Team India should be wary of the threat England can provide even though the defending champions have hit rock bottom in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings.
The reigning world champions have made a disastrous start to their title defence with three defeats in four matches of the ICC event.
Last edition’s runners-up New Zealand crushed England by 9 wickets in its World Cup 2023 opener at Narendra Modi Stadium. Jos Buttler and Co. then registered their first win of the ICC World Cup 2023 by defeating Bangladesh in Dharamsala. Buttler and Co. were then stunned by Afghanistan, who recently handed Pakistan its third straight defeat of the ongoing World Cup.
‘England are wounded lions’: Wasim Akram warns Team India
Speaking to Sportskeeda amid the ongoing edition of the ICC World Cup, former Pakistan skipper Akram backed India as favourites in its upcoming clash with England. However, Akram also highlighted the showdown encounter will also be a must-win clash for England, who were outplayed by South Africa in its last World Cup outing.”India are favourites to win against England, but England are wounded lions. They will know that they have to win and that could see them approach the game differently. However, India have played with controlled aggression,” Akram said.
South Africa hammered England by 229 runs in match No.20 of the ICC World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. The 229-run hammering at the hands of the Proteas was the biggest defeat by runs for England in the 50-over format. Buttler and Co. will meet hosts India in match No.29 of the World Cup at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
‘Hope India emulate the Australian team of 2003’
Sharing his views in the build-to the crucial World Cup fixture, former India pacer Shanthakumaran Nair Sreesanth said that he wants Rohit Sharma and Co. to match Australia’s impressive feat of being the invincibles at the World Cup. “I hope India emulate the Australian team of 2003 and go unbeaten in the entire World Cup. As an ex-cricketer and an Indian, I want the team that has done well in an all-round way to win and that’s been India so far,” the former India pacer added.