Friday, October 21, 2022

Team Preview: Pakistan looking to re create the magic of 2009!

Pakistan 15 Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood.

Pakistan won the Tri series in New Zealand involving the hosts and Bangladesh besides them, lost at home to England a closely fought series 3-4 and made it to the Asia Cup finals losing to eventual winners Sri Lanka. They were however trashed by England in their only completed warm up match. Afghanistan also managed to score 154 in their second match which was then washed out.

Batting

Their batting depends a great deal on the opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and wicket keeper Mohammad Rizwan. They are both known to start slowly and pick up the strike rate late but they are amazingly consistent. Fakhar Zaman, a late addition to the squad in place of Usman Qadir should slot in at number 3.

From number 4-7 Pakistan have tried various combinations of Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, & Mohammad Nawaz. What combination they opt for in the main tournament would depend on the pitch and the conditions.

Bowling

The fast bowling factory of Pakistan keeps producing very good bowlers. The current crop include Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain. They are well rounded with raw pace, left arm angle, right arm fast but the only thing missing from that bunch is experience.

Shadab Khan, Nawaz and Iftikhar should take on the spin bowling mantle.

Pakistan Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

23 October: v India at MCG

27 October: v Zimbabwe at Perth

30 October: v Netherlands at Perth

03 November: v South Africa at SCG

06 November: v Bangladesh at Adelaide

Pakistan Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan have played a lot of T20 matches in the recent past which should hold them in good stead but their opening match against India will set the tone for their progress. They also play 2 matches at Perth which should help their fast bowlers. Pakistan should make the semi finals but I can see them quite easily missing out too.

What do you think of the Men in Green? How far will they reach?

Read Other Team Previews for the T20 World Cup 2022.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Good work 👍🏻