India can be the most dangerous side in World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar after Asia Cup 2023 triumph

Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar feels India can be the most dangerous side in the World Cup. India lifted their eighth Asia Cup crown after thrashing Sri Lanka by 10 wickets and with 263 balls to spare to record their biggest ODI win in terms of balls left at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.

Sri Lanka was bundled out for a meager score of 50 runs in the Asia Cup final as Mohammed Siraj ran through the top order in a jiffy. Siraj returned with his best ODI figures of 6-21 in the seven overs he bowled as he was right on the money.

Earlier in the tournament, India also defeated Pakistan by a huge margin of 228 runs, their biggest win against the arch-rivals. India will be playing in their own conditions in the upcoming World Cup and they will look to make the most of them.

Team India has a balanced team and they will look to tick the right boxes as a unit in the ODI showpiece.

Akhtar said Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has improved in the recent past.

“Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has improved. He and the team management have been making great decisions. I did not imagine India beating Sri Lanka in this manner.

“From here on, India could be the most dangerous side in the World Cup, but I am not writing anybody off because teams from the sub continent are formidable,” Shoaib was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

The Rawalpindi Express, as Akhtar was known during his heydays, showered praise on Mohammed Siraj for bowling a superb spell. Siraj rattled Sri Lanka’s top-order and got the ball to swing and seam in overcast conditions. Siraj was awarded Player of the Match for his figures of 6-21 and gave his prize money to the groundstaff, for their fantastic work during the whole tournament.

“Good job Siraj, you helped India win. And you did a great job by giving away your prize money to the groundstaff,” he stated.

“India will be going into the World Cup after boosting their confidence. India started as an underdog, but now I feel that it is not only a worry for Pakistan, but a worry for many other countries. India have announced their arrival in the World Cup because they have all the boxes ticked,” Shoaib added.

India will play against Australia in a three-match ODI series before the World Cup.