In its home away from home at UAE Pakistan with boiling talents would be among the top favourites alongside West Indies, India and New Zealand for winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
They not only have feel of every grass of the grounds Sarjah, Dubai and Abu Dhavi but they also possess horses for the courses. BCB announced 15 members squad has great penetrative pace bowlers, quality aggressive batsmen, match winning spinners and rocking rolling all-rounders. However, the team would be coached and managed by a group not having head coach coach Mibhba Ul Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younus. They resigned following announcement of the squad. Two other icon players of the past Doosra inventor Saqlain Mustaq and flamboyant all rounder Abur Razzak would step into their shoes.
Pakistan squad:
Babar Azam (Capt), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Asif Ali, Sohaib Maqsood, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hasnain
CORONA Reserve: Usman Qadir and Fakhar Zaman.
Unpredictability has been rightly tagged with the Pakistan team .In the past matches had been matches won single headedly and also at the same time also lost some ganmes from winning positions. They are now ranked fourth in ICC T20 I ranking. Pakistan, under the captaincy of Babar Azam, will be looking to repeat their performance of the 2009 world cup when they won the trophy.
Missing Sub continental bilateral cricket contest hurt both the team and also world cricket. If two wonderful teams of gifted players India and Bangladesh played regularly among themselves that could benefit both immensely. Much of the tensions in the region could have evaporated. For reasons other than Cricket two SAARC neighbours India and Pakistan do not appear in bilateral cricket contest for a while. The world would watch when they meet head to head in their group match. The intensity and excitements would not be at all less than Australia England cricket derby or Brazil Argentina soccer contest. None of the Pakistani players appear in IPL likewise no Indian plays in PSL. The players of both teams have million followers across the border. Cricket could melt the ice if played regularly. All expected this happening as Iconic Pakistan Cricketer Imran Khan now heads Pakistan Government.
Shain Shah Afridi in current form is among the top three new ball bowlers in all formats. Babar Azam is rated alongside Kane Willamson, Joe Root and Virat Kohli. Having Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf along side Afridi this formidable pace attack can generate pace, exploit seam or swing if there area any , can cleverly change pace or unleash toe crashing Yorkers. Quality Leg spinner Shadab Khan would be the tramp card for Babar. Babar is top quality, can alone win matches, and recently Rizwan has emerged as a consistent performer with the bat apart from his exploits behind the wicket. Experienced Mohammad Hafiz would give solidity in the batting. Wasim Junior, Mohammad Nawaz , Asif Ali, Suhaib Maqsood , Azam Khan and Imad Wasim can add value to Pakistan batting. If Pakistan can score consistently 170-180 they have weapons for defending. The only weakness may be fielding where at times they appear sluggish.
Pakistan is grouped in Super 12:2 alongside India, New Zealand and Afghanistan. Bangladesh may also join them. This group is the group of death. The team that performs consistently would go all the away. Any two of the mentioned five have potential for winning against any other team. It would be a fascinating contest .We know T20 matches are gamble. Let us hope that the better performing team wins the laurel.
BDST: 0825 HRS, SEP 07, 2021
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