'India's fitness and form is not up to the mark' - Aaqib Javed picks Pakistan as favourites for World Cup clash against India

As soon as the schedule for the World Cup 2023 was announced, all eyes were fixated on the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash. Fans all around the world are eagerly waiting to see the two Asian heavyweights lock horns with each other in what would be the biggest clash of the cricketing extravaganza. Ahead of the high-voltage clash, experts from both countries have begun their analysis regarding which team will have the upper hand during the game.

Former Pakistan cricketer and 1992 World Cup winner Aaqib Javed has also weighed in his opinion on the big game and stated that Pakistan will be the favourites heading into the fixture as they have a more balanced side than India.

"I think Pakistan side is balanced and the age graph of players is much better, India are on that stage where they have big names but their fitness and form is not up to the mark. They will struggle and might have to find new players to form a combination. I think Pakistan have a great chance of beating India in India,” Javed was quoted as saying by Cricwick.

Notably, India have an unbeaten record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup as they’ve beaten them on seven occasions consecutively. They had an unbeaten run against the arch-rivals in the T20 World Cup as well until they were beaten by the Babar Azam-led side in the 2021 edition under the leadership of Virat Kohli.  

India vs Pakistan game rescheduled 

The Men in Blue will be once again under tremendous pressure to continue their unbeaten streak against Pakistan as they lock horns with them on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The match was originally scheduled to be played on October 15, however, it was rescheduled following security concerns raised by the Gujarat Police. The much-anticipated encounter coincides with the beginning of the Navratri Festival which is celebrated with great pomp in the entire state of Gujarat and hence the Police conveyed their inability to provide security for the epic encounter forcing the authorities to change the schedule.