Zaheer Abbas wants India to win

Zaheer Abbas, former Pakistani captain, who is currently in India, wants India to defeat Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday.

He told rediff.com the Indian team deserved to win because there has been a tremendous change in attitude after its humiliating defeat by the Aussies in the first round.

"I am not saying Australia can be beaten easily. But I would back India for the title. Particularly seeing the way they have been playing in the last few games. The team now believes it can beat any side in the world. Maybe Sunday they will take revenge from Australia," he said.

Talking about the strengths of the two teams Abbas said the two teams are well balanced and the outcome would depend upon how they handle the pressure. "It is a big final. Both sides will have to give their best. Each one is rearing to go," he said.

He said that the Indian pace attack, comprising of Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, is "bowling superbly."

"But I would like to see Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the side. The Johannesburg wicket is fast and the ball will come on nicely for the Australians but they will struggle against the spinners. Therefore both should play," he said.

Asked about the performance of Sachin Tendulkar, Abbas said he has no doubt Sachin will win the man of the tournament award. "He is such a class player. If he continues to fire like this maybe he alone can do the work for India," he added.

Abbas said he was disappointed teams like Pakistan, England, New Zealand and South Africa could not make it to the semi finals.

He refused to blame the Duckworth-Lewis system for this. "We all knew what we were in for. It is sad that we have to depend upon calculations rather than on the game to go to the Super Six stage," he said.