Michael Atherton, a former England cricketer and commentator, has predicted that Pakistan will beat India for the first time in an ODI World Cup.
India and Pakistan have faced each other seven times in the World Cup, and India has won all seven encounters. However, Atherton believes that Pakistan has a good chance of winning this time.
He expects the stadium to be packed and for the atmosphere to be electric, when the arch-rival face off against each other on October 14 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
“As my bold prediction, I’m saying that for the first time in a 50-over World Cup Pakistan will beat India. They have won zero out of seven over the years. It’s going to be the biggest game of the tournament, unless they meet again in a semi-final or, could you imagine, the final. It is sure to be a packed house; it will be mayhem and maybe Pakistan will jump a surprise,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.
Pakistan is set to commence their campaign against the Netherlands on Friday, while India will take on Australia in Chennai on October 8.