Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan believes India will defeat Pakistan when the bitter rivals clash in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup in Dubai - but believes the conditions mean Pakistan ‘could beat anyone’.
Both teams make their tournament bow in Sunday’s clash. India defeated England and Australia in their warm-up matches prior to the tournament, while Pakistan topped West Indies before losing to South Africa.
Vaughan took to social media to declare India will be too strong for Pakistan, but included the provision that the conditions could very much favour the underdogs - and even placed a particularly impressive label on them.
“India should be too strong for Pakistan today .. But this Pakistan team in these conditions could beat anyone .. Hearing 1 Billion will be watching globally .. India to win .. #India vs Pakistan #T20WorldCup,” Vaughan wrote on Twitter.
Vaughan’s pick in backing Virat Kohli’s side should not come as a surprise given India’s dominance in their head-to-head series against Pakistan.
India have never lost to their bitter rivals at a World Cup in any form, whether it is ODI or T20. India have beaten Pakistan in all seven of their ODI World Cup meetings, and all five of their T20 World Cup matches - including one bowl-out.
The two countries also famously met in the final of the first T20 World Cup, which India won by five runs to claim the title.
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Elsewhere, England defeated West Indies by six wickets to get their T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start and avenge their heartbreak in the 2016 final.
England’s bowlers were dominant, as they bowled the defending champions out for just 55 runs - the third-lowest total in tournament history.
All five bowlers impressed, with Moeen Ali getting things started in the powerplay. The off-spinner bowled his full quota of overs in a row, recording career-best numbers of 2-17 after opening the bowling.
England were also outstanding in the field, hauling in some excellent catches as they crushed their opponents.
