Want Pakistan to reach ODI World Cup semi-finals and play India, says former captain Sourav Ganguly
Want Pakistan to reach ODI WC semi-finals and play India, says Sourav Ganguly
Pakistan have a complex road ahead in the ODI World Cup 2023 edition. With one game to go, the Babar Azam-led Men in Green need a winversus England in their remaining tie and also hope for New Zealand and Afghanistan's exit to grab the leftover fourth semi-final spot. Ahead of their next outing, on Saturday (Nov 11), former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has backed the Men in Green to reach the top four and play India in a high-voltage semi-final.
"I want Pakistan to reach the semi-finals and play India. It can't be a bigger semi-final than that," Ganguly told Sports Tak.
The last time when India hosted the 50-over World Cup, in 2011, along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they faced arch-rivals Pakistan in the second semi-final and went past them by 29 runs in Mohali. As India are set to finish first and Pakistan can only take the fourth remaining slot, they can meet in the second semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
It is to be noted that Pakistan's semi-final will only take place in Kolkatadue to security concerns.
Also read:CWC 2023: Ben Stokes wants to make sure England qualify for 2025 Champions Trophy - Jos Buttler
Meanwhile, Ganguly spoke at length about Rohit Sharma-led Team India's performance, who are on an eight-match winning streak in the ten-team tournament at home. While he accepted that the hosts have played way better than every opposition, he was quick to dismiss the reporter's claim that it will be a shock if India do not go on to lift the cup. He, however, mentioned that he does not feel the team's level willdrop drastically in the knockouts.
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"No, it won't be a shock (if this Indian team does not winthe World Cup). It doesn't happen in sports like that. The entire nation is happy with the way India is playing. The way they have played in the 8 games, it appears that there is a big gap from the rest of the teams. I hope they keep playing like this. I don't think the level will drop so drastically (in semi-finals) that they will suddenly start playing poor cricket. Fingers crossed, they are looking very good," the former Indian skipper added.