ICC World Cup 2019|Sourav Ganguly backs Pakistan to reach semi-finals

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly thinks that Pakistan will enter World Cup 2019 as one of the favourites as they have remarkable record playing in England, especially during ICC events. That is the reason why he picked Pakistan alongside India, hosts England and Australia to reach the semifinal of the marquee tournament. England has always been a happy hunting ground for Pakistan during world tournaments. Their recent success in multi-nation tournament in England came when they defeated India in the final of 2017 Champions Trophy.

“Pakistan’s record in world tournaments in England isremarkable. They won the Champions Trophy two years ago, they won the 2009World T20 in England,” Ganguly told PTI on the sidelines of a promotionalprogramme.

   

Ganguly also cited the recent example of Pakistan’s secondODI against England, in which they almost chased down a mammoth 374 beforegoing down by only 12 runs.

“Pakistan always play well in England. You see the lastgame in England. England got 374 and Pakistan just lost by 12 runs. They alsobeat England in England in Test matches there because of their bowlinglineup.”

Ganguly, however, was quick to add that Virat Kohli’s menshould not be wary of Pakistan and they would prove to be strong contenders.

“I don’t believe in records. Both of them will have toplay well on that particular day. India will be a very good side. They will bevery hard to beat. Team which has the likes of Kohli, Rohit, Shikhar Dhawancan’t be weak.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s repeated failures in theIndian Premier League have put the spotlight on Kohli’s leadership skills butGanguly said Indian captaincy is a different ball game. He insisted that ViratKohli’s IPL captaincy will not have an impact in the World Cup as he enjoys agood record as an ODI skipper.

“Don’t compare Virat Kohli’s IPL captaincy record withthat of India. His captaincy records for India is very good actually. He’s gothim in his team as the vice-captain. Dhoni is there. So he’s wellsupported,” said Ganguly.

Starting as one of the favourites, India would be undertremendous pressure but Ganguly felt it would bring out the best from Kohli andCo.

“So it’s good that India is under pressure, every otherteam in the World Cup will be under pressure. You don’t want to turn up like aNepal or an Ireland where the entire world thinks that you’re not going to win.”You rather turn up like an India or anAustralia or an England where everybody says this team is going to win theWorld Cup. So Virat, probably being the best player of the world at the moment,is as much under pressure as anybody else and that will be good for him becausehe will turn up, work hard, he will be pumped and get India going.”

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