Imran picks Australia to win World Cup

Doha, Qatar: Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan picked Australia to win the World Cup starting in two weeks in the Caribbean.

Imran, who ended his career leading Pakistan to World Cup glory in 1992, said Ricky Ponting's Australia should win its third successive World Cup.

"Australians are favourites to win the World Cup, although they will miss their matchwinner Brett Lee. But Ricky Ponting's side is still very strong in every department," Imran said while attending a business conference on Monday.

"Australians have this winning habit, which is hard to break for other teams. They may have lost the recent one-day series at home and in New Zealand, but they are still very difficult to demoralise as a team." He said fast bowler Lee will be missed.

"It is not easy to find a replacement for a bowler like Lee. He is a genuine matchwinner for Australia," he said.

Good sides

Neither was he ruling out Pakistan's chances.

"Pakistan and India are also good sides with a lot of good players. But in Pakistan's case, it will all depend if Pakistan pace bowlers (Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif) are going to the World Cup," he said. "If they are, then Pakistan also stand a chance to win." Akhtar and Asif were carrying injuries, and yet to receive the results of doping tests.

Imran introduced Inzamam-ul-Haq to international cricket in 1991.