Updated at: 1008 PST, Monday, January 31, 2011
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir feel that India will be the biggest threat for all teams including Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup.
"I think India, Australia and South Africa can pose big threat as they have very strong squads for the tournament," Ajmal told Pakistan's former captain and now well-known commentator Ramiz Raja on a television show.
Ajmal said hopefully if Pakistan managed to get through to the knockout stages it would have to contend with India in the crunch stage of the event.
"Matches against India are always played with extra hype and spirit and if such a match up takes place in the World Cup at any stage it would be great for the sport," the offie stated.
He also feels that he has been in the form of his life and would make an impact in the World Cup in which the pitches are expected to assist the slow bowlers.
"I want to come out of the World Cup with appreciable performances and with people saying Saeed bowled well for the team," he said.
His teammate Tanvir said, "Both India and Sri Lanka have strong one-day combinations and both can pose a challenge to any team in the tournament and in the knockout stage," he said.
"I am confident our team can perform well in the tournament and I see India or Sri Lanka as our main threats in the latter stages of the event," Tanvir said.
The all-rounder who has made a comeback to the national team after remaining out of action for nearly a year due to a major knee operation ruled out England as a major contender for the title despite their recent success in the Ashes and after winning the ICC World Twenty20.
Both also felt that the role of the captain and coach was crucial in getting the best performance out of their players.
"The captain and coach can do a lot to lift a player if he is going through a bad patch. A captain must back his player and tell him "I know you can deliver for me,"" Ajmal said.
