Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis has spoken about his country’s chances at the World Cup next year. He thinks that Pakistan, who only recently won the Champions Trophy 2017 after beating India in the final, could win the World Cup as they have a good record in England.

Indeed, the Champions Trophy took place in the United Kingdom while Pakistan also recently embarrassed England in a Test match at the Lord’s. As a result, Younis believes that they have a real chance to win it all.

“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,” said Waqar.

“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.”

Despite playing away from home, Pakistan always enjoy a homelike ambiance in England due to the number of Pakistani people living in there. This, however, could also create pressure as the fans will be moving around the country to watch their team play while also expecting them to win.

“Pressure is going to be there,” he said. “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.”

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

He also added that hosts England are also under a lot of pressure to perform since the last two World Cups were won by the country that hosted the event.

“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.

England are currently the number one ranked ODI team in the world and have completed a massive turnaround from their disastrous campaign in 2015. They are the favourites and rightfully so.