Bangalore: Pakistan can spring a surprise in next month's World Cup in South Africa as the side has the firepower, believes former all-rounder Roger Binny. Describing Pakistan as a dark horse, Binny, a key member of the World Cup winning Indian team in 1983, said, "They (Pakistan) have got the firepower. If any team can do it, it's only Pakistan." In a chat with reporters here, he said he believed "Pakistan is an outsider as they have got all-round ability in the side to come good". Binny said he would put his bets on Australia. "If it's not Australia, then it will be Pakistan," he predicted. According to him, it's not going to be easy for India though on paper the side's batting looks as good as anybody else in the World Cup. "What we lack is fielding, which needs to be improved, along with bowling, while batting continues to be India's strong point", he said in response to a question. Asked if the Indian stock has come down after its recent debacle in New Zealand, Binny said one cannot take that series into consideration as wickets there were totally made for bowlers. "I don't think we get such conditions in South Africa, there wickets, which are bouncy and excellent, will suit us. In the past, we have been batting well in South Africa and we will do well in batting in World Cup," Binny said. He urged the players bound for South Africa not be dejected by the verdict in New Zealand, and counselled them to be positive. A single victory in the World Cup is going to change the whole thing around for India, Binny felt. On India's realistic chances given its present form, Binny said he would like to see the batting down the order and a lot more improvement in fielding and bowling. Extras:
Morale of team quite high, claims Harbhajan Singh
Agarkar at best a directionless weather cock: Sidhu

Tags: cricket, world cup, roger binny, 1983 world cup, australia, pakistan, fielding, bowling, batting, wickets.