Ex-Pakistani player thinks India will deliberately lose to oust Pakistan
What's the story
India have been on a roll, as they remain unbeaten in the ICC World Cup 2019. They have almost sealed their semi-final spot. However, arch-rivals Pakistan have still some work left to do to qualify for knock-outs. Their fate also depends on results of other teams. Interestingly, former Pakistani player Basit Ali feels that India will deliberately lose next two matches to oust Pakistan.
Scenario
Pakistan in a tricky qualification scenario
In order to qualify for the semis, Pakistan have to necessarily win their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Further, they remain reliant on the results of England and Sri Lanka as well. If England lose at least one game out of two, and Lanka don't win more than two, Pakistan could make it to the semis.
Basit
Basit Ali thinks India won't want Pakistan to qualify
Meanwhile, Basit Ali has reportedly said that India would never want Pakistan to make it to the semis. He also feels that India gave a glimpse of their intentions against Afghanistan. They could underperform in their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He believes that India could deliberately lose in such a way that no one realizes what happened.
Quote
Nobody will come to know what has happened: Ali
"They'll play in such a way that nobody will come to know what has happened. What happened in India's match against Afghanistan? What did Australia do against India? What did David Warner do?" wondered Basit, while talking to Pakistan's media.
Twitter Post
Basit makes some bold prediction against India
Basit Ali reckons India will not want Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals and may play poorly in their matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 🙄 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/vwg3oFnnpl
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 26, 2019
Author's take
Do India need to worry about Pakistan?
As Pakistan battle it out for the semis, India have almost sealed their spot. While both these teams share a rich rivalry, the author believes Pakistan are not at all a headache for India. Although Pakistan can be lethal given their recent resurgence, India's edge over them in the World Cup makes them clear favorites in case there is a India-Pak semi-final.