World Cup 2023: 5 Reasons why India can beat Pakistan

3. Pakistan missing Naseem Shah and their spinners are either not in form or inexperienced 

India will have a settled unit going in the World Cup 2023, especially when it comes to their bowling.  Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj had match-winning moments and picked fifers in the Asia Cup. Jasprit Bumrah was crucial in giving good starts and early wickets. Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandy gave good support.

But the same cannot be said about the Pakistan side, who struggled a lot. Though considered one of the finest bowling units, Pakistan is under severe stress in that department. First of all, they lost their star pacer Naseem Shah due to a shoulder injury and even Haris Rauf is struggling with a side strain. Shaheen Afridi is great at the start with the new ball, but if he faces a counter-attack, Shaheen goes into a shell. 

Pakistan brought in Hassan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. to bolster their pace department and have Zaman Khan in reserves. However, their biggest headache is their spinners who were dismissed ruthlessly by batters in the Asia Cup. 

Shadab Khan was ordinary with his line and length and couldn’t spin the ball much on Sri Lankan pitches. Mohammad Nawaz is good at controlling runs but is not a strike bowler who can give wickets when needed. They are banking on two inexperienced spinners Usama Mir and Abrar Ahmed to do well in the World Cup, but their lack of skills in ODIs might hamper their performance.