Michael Vaughan predicts winner of ODI World Cup 2023

KARACHI: Former Test batter Michael Vaughan has predicted England as the winner of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

England beat Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 final last Sunday to clinch the trophy for the second time. Sam Curran and Ben Stokes starred in the mega final to bring glory home. The pacer claimed three wickets, while Stokes smashed 52 runs off 49 balls against the green shirts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Following the massive win, Vaughan heaped massive praise on England after their sensational performance.

"The next big ticket is to win the 50 over World Cup in India next year. They [England] have good spin options, and you have to put them down as favourites for that tournament as well. When the tournament starts people will have India as favourites on home soil. Utter nonsense. England will be the team to beat without any question, and that is going to be the case for a few more years to come," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

The cricketer-turned-pundit also said that India should "swallow their pride" and take inspiration from England.

"How are England going about their business? What do they do? If I was in charge of Australia I would be all over Mike Hussey, who was specialist batting coach with England at this tournament and asking what they do behind the scenes. If I was running Indian cricket I would swallow my pride and look at England for inspiration," he added.

'Would have loved Shaheen to bowl the last overs'

Talking about the final, the former cricketer said he would've loved Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the last overs.

Shaheen was forced to walk off the field after he landed awkwardly on his right knee while taking Harry Brook's catch during the final.

Coming in to bowl the 16th over, the left-arm pacer was in severe pain as he bowled the first ball, but he couldn't carry on further.

"I would have loved to see Shaheen Shah Afridi bowl those last overs fully fit. Pakistan were unlucky. England needed 8.7 an over when Afridi came on to bowl his third over but hobbled off. That is a lot of runs against a bowler of his quality," he said.

Shaheen has been advised a two-week rehabilitation by the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical panel after scans showed no sign of injury.

However, the pacer's participation in the upcoming three-match Test series against England might be doubtful, considering the fact that the star bowler returned from a knee injury before the T20 World Cup.

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