Pakistan-India game will be a battle of cornered tigers in WC 15: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has termed the Pakistan-India clash at the upcoming World Cup as the 'battle of the cornered tigers.'

The Pakistan-India match on February 15 was sold-out the first day tickets for the World Cup went on sale and the crucial encounter which will open each team's campaign is expected to be a high-octane battle despite the form of the sides.

“India and Pakistan are cornered tigers in the tournament. I think the India versus Pakistan match will start from the dressing room itself,” Akhtar said at 'Cricket Conclave', a show organised by an Indian news channel.

Despite Pakistani fans drawing similarities of their current squad with the 1992 World Cup-winning team, Akhtar said there was no comparison to be made with Imran Khan's side.

Pakistan, who are struggling with the suspension of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez from bowling, were dealt with a serious blow on Monday when pacer Junaid Khan was also ruled out of the World Cup due to his injury. Batting woes aplenty, Misbah-ul-Haq's side take on New Zealand in the second and final ODI on February 3. And while both teams have looked at the two-match ODI series as 'warm ups' before the World Cup, Pakistan look nowhere near a settled side before the big show.

The 'Rawalpindi Express' also said that the last 15-20 days before the World Cup were the most crucial and added that the team that has three good days can clinch the title.

“It's always the last 15-20 days that's the most crucial in a World Cup competition. It's a pattern that has emerged since 1983 when teams have got momentum in the last two weeks. In 1999, Australia peaked at right time after an indifferent start. In this World Cup its all about three good days,” the 39-year-old, who bowed out of international cricket after the 2011 World Cup, said.

Akhtar was all-praise for Indian captain MS Dhoni, adding that his fearless approach could do wonders for his embattled team.

"With due respect and not taking any names, I have seen captains, who hide behind the team under pressure. But Dhoni is one guy who would make the team hide behind him when they are under pressure. He is one guy who doesn't know the meaning of fear," Akhtar said.