Pak vs India: Atherton predicts Pakistan will defeat India in World Cup 2023

ENGLAND: Amid the escalating cricket fervor surrounding the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, former England captain Michael Atherton has made a forecast for the much-anticipated Pakistan versus India match.

The grand showdown is scheduled for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

Atherton, a seasoned cricketer and broadcast journalist, envisions a historic triumph for Pakistan over India in this high-voltage encounter, often dubbed the El Clásico of cricket. If his prediction holds true, it would mark the first-ever victory for the Men in Green against their arch-rivals in an ODI World Cup match.

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Historically, in the ICC ODI World Cup tournaments, Pakistan and India have clashed seven times, with India emerging victorious in all encounters, maintaining an unbroken winning streak against Pakistan.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Atherton asserted that the October 14 match would be the highlight of the year’s World Cup, unless the two teams cross paths again in the semifinals or, perhaps, the final.

In Atherton’s own words, “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 semifinal or, could you imagine, the final.”

Anticipating a packed house at the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, Atherton predicts an atmosphere of mayhem and speculates that Pakistan might spring a surprise in Pak vs India showdown.

The last encounter between the two sides in the 2019 World Cup saw India triumph by 18 runs. While the first match in the recent Asia Cup was a washout, India secured a significant victory in the Super 4 stage match.

As both teams gear up for their respective matches in the tournament, the eyes of cricket enthusiasts worldwide remain fixed on the historic Pak vs India clash set to unfold on October 14.