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'Pakistan Will Beat India..,' Ex-England Captain's Bold World Cup Prediction

image-lnd4uzm0India will take on Pakistan on October 14 [X.com]

Former England stalwart Michael Atherton made a "bold prediction" heading into the 2023 World Cup, one that Indian fans would find distasteful as they wait in anticipation for the riveting neighbours' clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 15. 

The cricketer turned leading commentator predicted the result of World Cup's most sought-after fixture from the league stage and backed Pakistan to beat India for the first time in the ODI World Cup history. 

India have retained dominance over their arch-rivals in the previous 12 editions of the men's World Cup, coming out triumphant on all seven occasions the two countries have met each other in since the maiden outing back at the 1992 edition of the quadrennial event. 

Pakistan will beat India for the first time: Michael Atherton

While Pakistan managed to rewrite the history books by clinching victory over India in the 2021 men's T20 World Cup, they are yet to tick the major box in the 50-over iteration of the game's biggest carnival. 

But Atherton reckons the forthcoming match in front of a 1.2 lakh capacity crowd in Ahmedabad is going to be the fitting occasion for them to overcome the longstanding jinx. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Atherton said he is backing Babar Azam & company to topple off Rohit Sharma's men in Gujarat's marquee encounter. 

With the wave of expectations behind the Indian team, the English commentator said he feels Pakistan will "jump a surprise" to cricket fans across the globe. 

"As my bold prediction, I'm saying that for the first time in a 50-over World Cup Pakistan will beat India. They have won zero out of seven over the years."


"It's going to be the biggest game of the tournament, unless they meet again in a semi-final or, could you imagine, the final. It is sure to be a packed house; it will be mayhem and maybe Pakistan will jump a surprise."

Pakistan do have the reputation of a mercurial side with the tendency to do the unthinkable when the chips are down and expectations are minimal. A victory in the most high-profile fixture of the tournament would only bolster their image and stocks as the World Cup contenders. 

Babar's men kickstart their campaign on Friday (October 6) in Hyderabad with a low-key face-off against rising associate rivals Netherlands.