'Agar Ye Teen Bande': Mohammed Amir Picks India’s Crucial Players For World Cup 2023

Amir believes that if they excel right from the first match, no team can stand in India's way of clinching the title.

Mohammad Amir in action.

Source : Getty

Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has shared his predictions for the ongoing 2023 edition of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup. He believes that if Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah perform well right from the first match, then India will be unstoppable and likely to win the 50-over mega event this year.

Amir has chosen to back Rohit Sharma's Team India over his own country, Pakistan, which is led by the world's No. 1 ODI batsman, Babar Azam. According to Amir, India will emerge as the favourites to win the ODI World Cup 2023 title. He is of the view that India might face defending champions England in the final on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and will outperform Jos Buttler's team.

The left-arm pacer, who played a crucial role in Pakistan's historic 180-run victory in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India, has also identified three Most Valuable Players for India in this year's 50-over mega event. Amir believes that if they excel right from the first match, no team can stand in India's way of clinching the title.

India has not secured an ICC trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 when MS Dhoni's team triumphed over England in the final at Edgbaston.

According to Amir, who was Pakistan's highest wicket-taker in the 2019 ODI World Cup, India's key to victory depends heavily on the performances of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah from the beginning of the tournament. Speaking on Pakistan's Hasna Mana Hai TV show, Amir stated, "Agar ye teen bande from Day 1 se perform karenge naa—Bumrah, Rohit aur Kohli—India final jeetega."

The 31-year-old pacer also made predictions for the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-finalists, suggesting that India, England, Australia, and Pakistan will qualify. 
"England, India, Australia, Pakistan. Pehele main New Zealand ko kar raha tha par ab Pakistan ko kyuki ab Pakistan team par koi pressure nahi hai. Jab Pakistan team ko sab write off karte hai naa fir humari team aake kuch different karti hai", he stated.