The anticipation for the ODI World Cup 2023 goes high among cricket enthusiasts. With the tournament set to begin on October 5 in India, the West Indies legend has picked the probable leading wicket-taker for the tournament.
Richards picks leading Wicket-taker for World Cup 2023
With less than two months before the World Cup, cricket experts around the world have many opinions on their favourite teams, with the likes of India, Australia, and defending champions England having a great chance in the tournament. Pakistan is currently ranked as No.1 and experts pick they would reach the semifinals.
On this occasion, the West Indies legend Richards, has suggested a player to be the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Shaheen Afridi was his choice who was sidelined in the T20 World Cup last year in Australia due to a knee Injury.
“The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup will be Shaheen Afridi because I have seen him in Pakistan. I spent some time in the PSL and I have seen his massive growth. [He is a] highly determined individual. He is my man,” said Richards.
After being sidelined for a considerable amount of period, Shaheen has returned to action and putting up a good show since his return to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Shaheen was the captain of Lahore Qalandars, making victory for his side with his efforts in the finals.
He was also part of the Pakistan squad which completed a 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan recently, where Pakistan won the series 3-0. He was the series-leading wicket-taker, scalping 6 wickets in three matches at an average of 16.33.
He had played 27 matches in his Test career and took 105 wickets with an average of 25.58. He had played 52 T20Is and taken 64 wickets with an average of 22.73.
He played 39 ODI matches and took 76 wickets with an average of 23.34 with the best figure of 6/35 in the match against Bangladesh in 2019.
Before the World Cup, Shaheen will be performing in the Asia Cup along with his side which is set to start on August 30. The tournament is said to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
After completing the Asia Cup Pakistan will be facing New Zealand and Australia in warm-up fixtures before competing in the World Cup.
Pakistan will be opening its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. After their clash with the Netherlands, they will be facing Sri Lanka on October 10 and will be facing India in a highly anticipated clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
