Former captain Sourav Ganguly has given a surprising statement about the highly-anticipated ICC World Cup 2023 clash between Pakistan and India.
The Men in Green will face arch-rivals India on October 15 in Ahmedabad.
However, Ganguly feels that the match has not lived up to expectations in the past while adding that the clash between India and Australia is likely to be a better contest.
"There is a lot of hype in this match but the quality has not been that good for a long time because India kept on winning one-sided. Pakistan probably defeated India for the first time in the T20 World Cup in Dubai," Ganguly said on Star Sports. "India did not play well in that tournament but according to me, India vs Australia tends to be a better game in the World Cup because the quality is better.”
He also lauded the Pakistan cricket team and hoped that a good match will take place between the neighbouring countries in the mega event.
"This Pakistan team is also good and the match will be good. Pakistan becomes a good team on flat wickets because their batters use those conditions well. They have fast bowlers who use the conditions," he said.
"Wherever there is seam or swing, because their quality of batting has been good in the past, I can't say what will happen going forward, India always used to march ahead. It will always be a big game. The conditions will also be important," he added.
Here is Pakistan's schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
October 6 - vs Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad
October 12 - vs Qualifier 2 in Hyderabad
October 15 - vs India in Ahmedabad
October 20 - vs Australia in Bengaluru
October 23 - vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 - vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 - vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 12 - vs England in Kolkata
- Sourav Ganguly