Waqar: Hosts under pressure to win the World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis feels that England will be under tremendous pressure heading into the World Cup as hosts and form team.

The legendary quick also feels that outsiders Pakistan will face pressure of a different kind with everyone at home desperate for the team to replicate their 2017 Champions Trophy heroics and emulate the 1992 team in winning the World Cup in 2019.

“It’s always a pressure for the hosting side,” said Waqar. “The last couple of World Cups the host teams have won it, so that creates even more pressure.

“England know their game very well, they’re playing on their home ground but other teams are going to come prepared.

“I feel it’s going to be a good, hard-fought World Cup.”

The man who has also coached Pakistan at the highest level feels that the team have every chance of upsetting higher ranked teams and claiming the World Cup next year.

“Pakistan won the Champions Trophy last year, so they know how to play here, and they won the first test match at Lord’s also,” he said.

“Look back at the Champions Trophy and the team is building the confidence. The faith is coming. I will give fair chance to this Pakistan team for winning the World Cup.

“Pressure is going to be there.

“Expectation comes from the entire country and there’s so many Pakistanis living in this country, so they’re going to travel around and there’ll be a lot of support for Pakistan.

“So there will be pressure, because supporters bring pressure with it, but they will enjoy it, hopefully, and do well.”