The former Pakistan pace ace hopes that Pakistan will break the World Cup jinx and beat arch-rivals India in the mega event in the West Indies.
MUMBAI: Former Pakistan pace ace Waqar Younis hopes that Pakistan will break the World Cup jinx and beat arch-rivals India in the mega event in the West Indies.
"We have beaten India in various places but have not won a single match against them in the World Cup. I am dreaming that Pakistan will beat India in this World Cup," said the former captain on Thursday.
The two sub-continental giants have met each other on four occasions in World Cup history, since their maiden match-up in 1992 Down Under and India have come out trumps each time with convincing margins.
Pakistan are in Group D while India are in Group B in the preliminary phase and their first meeting is expected only in the Super Eight stage.
Waqar said though the World Cup is wide open he expected one of the sub-continent teams to clinch it since wickets in the West Indies and in their own backyards are similar in nature.
"The tournament looks wide open with no favourites. Though Australia have been beaten in recent times, their consistent record over the last four years means they cannot be taken lightly. But they are at a disadvantage due to the absence of Brett Lee and the injury to Andrew Symonds.
"In my opinion, the subcontinent teams have an advantage because the wickets in the West Indies are similar in nature to those here. I feel one of the teams from the subcontinent will win the World Cup", Waqar said.
But the man named the Burrewala Express for his pace said bowlers like Shane Bond and Andrew Flintoff will have an advantage as they can bowl in excess of 145 kph.
"If you bowl fast and can get early wickets then your team can benefit," he said.
Talking about the Indian team, Waqar felt that the form of Irfan Pathan, who is struggling to find his touch, will be crucial.
"If Pathan is in form he can change the scenario. But too much advice has affected him. He is mature now and should think on his own. He should look at video footage of 2004 when he bowled superbly against Pakistan both here and on tour," Waqar felt.
Asked about Pakistan's chances in the light of the absence of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohd Asif and Abdul Razzaq, Waqar drew a parallel with the 1992 World Cup when they had similar injury woes and still went on to win under Imran Khan.
Waqar admitted that Pakistan were yet to find a settled opening pair after the retirement of Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail.
"So many opening pairs have been tried out but none have clicked. Our strength is the middle order," he said referring to the presence of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Mohd Yousuf, all with tons of experience.
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