Going to be an equally balanced game – Ravichandran Ashwin on India-Pakistan clash at ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels India vs Pakistan clash at the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 will be an equally balanced game. India will meet arch-rivals Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 15th October.

In fact, India holds a 7-0 advantage against Pakistan in ICC World Cup matches. When these two teams had earlier met in the T20 World Cup game of 2022 edition, India won against their neighbors by four wickets after Virat Kohli’s brilliant knock of 82 runs. India snatched a win from the jaws of defeat after the team scored 28 runs off the last eight balls.

Meanwhile, both India and Pakistan have potent teams for the sub-continent conditions. However, Pakistan hasn’t played enough cricket in the Indian conditions in the last few years because of political reasons and it could lead to their downfall.

Ashwin feels it could be another thrilling match between these two teams as Pakistan have a potent bowling line-up.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “The last few games between India and Pakistan have been extraordinary. I think we can expect another blockbuster India-Pakistan game. It is going to be an equally balanced game because Pakistan also have a quality seam attack.”

On the other hand, Ashwin reckons Afghanistan might trouble a few teams in the upcoming ODI showpiece. Afghanistan has a quality bowling line-up as they have bowlers like Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad. All of these four bowlers’ styles of bowling will be lethal in the Indian conditions.

“I feel Afghanistan might challenge a few teams this year. Last time, during 2011 World Cup, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals. Of course, Bangladesh is a very good side.

“But I feel Afghanistan will create a few upsets this year. They played really well during the last World Cup too. But in these conditions, you cannot really run through their side with fast bowling. We all know their spin strength with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Zakir Khan.”

Afghanistan will begin their ODI World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on October 7 at Dharamshala.