As 2015 approaches and Pakistan go through their ritualistic disastrous build-ups to a <a title="Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/statical-review-of-teams-in-cricket-world-cup/" target="_blank">Cricket World Cup 2015</a>, a signature of the side since the tournament&#8217;s 2003 edition, desperate fans try to clutch at straws by coming up with similarities between 2015 and the Proudest Moment of Pakistan cricket: 1992. The WC returns to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since that evening Imran Khan and team Pakistan lifted it for Pakistan to rise and shine.

For the most faithful amongst us, the same venue is justification enough but for those who need a little more convincing, Misbah’s Niazi heritage (similar to that of Imran Khan), the captaincy-tussle between Afridi and Misbah (Javed Miandad-Imran Khan), Sohaib Maqsood&#8217;s laidback Inzamam-styled bat swings and the sheer fact that Pakistan’s premium fast-bowler Junaid Khan bowls left-handed are all signs that Pakistan will repeat the miracle Down Under. The belief is so unwavering that Saeed Ajmal&#8217;s suspension has already been compared to losing Waqar Younis before the WC in 1992. At this rate, Nasir Jamshed hitting a purple patch and getting injured right before the WC will only be taken as a positive given the fate of Saeed Anwar twenty-three years ago.

The reality, however, resides in the shadow of doubt that has made a permanent home even in the most optimistic Pakistani fans&#8217; minds and by extension the team itself. The loss of Saeed Ajmal is irreplaceable and most probably catastrophic. Afridi being handed the T20 captaincy right at the start of the season that culminates in the WC is only inviting a power struggle. And, to put it lightly, the eternal lack of consistency in the top three is embarrassing. Does Pakistan really have a shot then?

Misbah-ul-Haq – A man that has been leading the Test team from 2010 and the ODI team from mid-2011. It was all quiet for Misbah-ul-Haq until he was rested for the 3rd ODI against Australia. Shahid Afridi took over captaincy in his absence which sparked a <a href="http://www.crictracker.com/misbah-vs-afridi-the-battle-continues/">controversy</a> large enough for the PCB Chairman to intervene and solve the issue. Issue has been resolved and Misbah-ul-Haq is announced as Captain of Pakistan’s ODI Team until World Cup 2015.

<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6457" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Afridi-Misbah1.jpg" alt="Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India)." width="648" height="370" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6457" class="wp-caption-text">Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India).</figcaption>

Pakistan has not tasted much success of late, but what Misbah has been instrumental in providing is stability to the current players&#8217; mindsets. Most of the squad has been playing as a group for the past two to three years. Misbah has been vital towards breeding this sense of security amongst what is one of the most mentally fragile and insecure group of individuals – and Pakistan would want this to continue for till the World Cup.

Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. The early fall of wickets can have a psychological impact on the rest of the team, affecting their performance with the bat. As the approaching world cup is in Australia and New Zealand, it will makes the ball more liable to travel fast, bounce high, seam around (i.e., bounce unpredictably off the seam) and swing (i.e., deviate sideways when travelling through the air).

Expected: Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez

For a team that has tried 12 different opening pairs since the last world cup and was still on experiment with its opening pair in its last series, you can imagine how difficult it would be to find a suitable pair to open an innings in conditions alien to many batsmen from the subcontinent region. But one thing is for sure: Ahmed Shehzad. The boy has been consistently featuring in the playing XI since his return to top-class cricket in 2013 and he has equally justified why he was chosen in the first place. Mohammad Hafeez is likely to be the other partner. <a title="Australia’s Probable Squad for Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/australias-probable-squad-for-cricket-world-cup-2015/" target="_blank">(also read Aus Probable Squad WC 2015)</a>

Reserves: Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali

With Ahmed Shehzad confirmed as one part of the opening pair and Mohammad Hafeez in the side, it will difficult for any other opener to make it to the Pakistani squad for the world cup but if unfortunately, one got injured then Pakistan will have reserves in the shape of Sharjeel Khan – hard hitting batsman who can demolish any bowling line-up on his day and Azhar Ali – who has shown one numerous occasions that he has the calmness Pakistan would like in its opener and can hold one end up in times of distress.

<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6901" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohd-Hafeez-and-Ahmed-Shehzad.jpg" alt="Mohd Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad latest photo" width="624" height="465" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6901" class="wp-caption-text">Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

With openers exposed to early seam and swing bowling in fast-bowling conditions, it is likely that most opening partnerships would not be able to resist for a longer period in Australia and New Zealand. A solid middle-order would be required to knock-off the early hardness off the ball and then score plenty-full for their bowlers to defend.

Expected: Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sohaib Maqsood

Pakistan has had troubles with its opening pair but the middle-order is quite composed and based on veterans like Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal and with the return of Younis Khan, who is in red-hot form off late, would mean that Pakistan has nothing to worry about its middle-order. The bulk of the scoring will be done by Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq; Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots.

Younis Khan, Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal will score quick and easy runs while Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam would carry on with their hold-one-end-up thing and then blast away in the final overs of the game.

Reserves: Asad Shafiq, Umer Amin, Haris Sohail

Pakistan has a luxury of a long-list of awaiting contenders continuously knocking the selector’s door for their chances. Asad Shafiq and Umer Amin will pose a serious threat to any of the current under-performing middle-order batsman. Umer Amin may come handy with his medium pacers while Haris Sohail, yet to get a full chance at international level, may see his lucky-angels strike at the right moment.

<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6902" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Umar-Akmal.jpg" alt="Umar Akmal plays late cut " width="618" height="416" sizes="(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6902" class="wp-caption-text">Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

In One Day International cricket, all-rounders are generally required to change their game depending on the conditions. If their team loses wickets early, they must be able to play a long careful innings. Conversely, if they are not required to bat until later in the game, they must be able to attempt to score quickly, often attempting to hit many fours or sixes, and if they only have a short period to bat, they are expected to be innovative and able to settle after a short period. In run-chases they are required to be good at calculating and minimizing the risks needed to reach the target, by scoring at close to the rate required. If they score more quickly than is required, they run the risk of getting out and exposing the weaker, lower-order batsmen to the pressure situation, but if they score too slowly, then they fall behind schedule and the pressure again increases.

Expected: Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti

Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. His leg-spins and the ability to hit any ball out of the park will be the most wanted aspect for Pakistan if they want to do a longer journey this time. Afridi was the leading wicket-taker in the previous edition of the WC with India’s Zaheer Khan (21 wickets), however, Zaheer played more matches than Afridi

This World Cup is going to be won by strong fast-bowling all-rounders. It is the main reason New Zealand (Anderson, Neesham), South Africa (McLaren), Sri Lanka (Mathews, Pererra) and Australia (Watson, Johnson, Faulkner) are extremely strong contenders to go the whole hog. Pakistan will look for Anwar Ali or Bilawal Bhatti to take their place and perform both with the bat and the ball but recently, they both have lacked in keeping both aspects of their game up to standards.

Hammad Azam showed a lot of interest and passion when he first entered into the national side from Under-19 circuit but was soon dropped and forgotten without an ample reason. However, Pakistan has a tendency to recall its lost players for major trophies and he could end up in the 15-man squad on the given day.

<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6903" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi appeals " width="606" height="580" sizes="(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6903" class="wp-caption-text">Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo Soruce: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan has a history of producing wicket-keepers. The likes of Moin Khan and Rashid Latif always gave their best for Pakistan.

Keeping the current form and mindset of PCB in mind, it is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC. The guy has been scoring huge runs in recent times and has used his brisk hitting to good effect. With a far better glove-work than most of his counter-parts, it should surely be him to carry-on this job at the WC.

Pakistan playing XI has regularly featured an Akmal since Kamran’s debut in 2003 but in recent times the Akmal has been his younger brother, but this man has a tendency to make it to every major trophy himself with his out of the blue return for WT20 2014 proving this fact. A major trophy at stake, Kamran would want to throw his hands on the trophy and get a call back in the senior squad.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Pakistani Wicketkeeper Sarfarz Ahmed" width="606" height="382" sizes="(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6913" class="wp-caption-text">It is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

Despite the recent dip in form and Ajmal&#8217;s probable absence, Pakistan&#8217;s bowling still remains its stronger suit. Death bowling, even with Ajmal in the team, has suffered drastically over the past year. Coach Waqar Younis needs to work with both Wahab and Junaid along with Gul on bowling in the last 15 overs.

The number of times our opponents recovered at the fag-end after Hafeez has kept things tight in the middle of the innings in the last 15 months is alarming. With Pakistan&#8217;s mental barrier at chasing anything beyond 240-250, this is all the more important.

Expected: Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul

Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team&#8217;s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust. During the tournament, he needs to be used as aggressively as possible at the start of the innings, which is where he will be most dangerous. Junaid Khan has the ability to move the ball both ways and trouble quality batsmen just like he troubled Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene, Alastair Cook and Hashim Amla in recent times. The Guldozer, Umar Gul, will be effective with his Yorkers at the death. A tournament suited for the bowlers and providing them with a chance to create their impact on the game, Pakistan would want its trio of Gul, Irfan and Junaid to penetrate deep in opponent’s batting line-ups.

Reserves: Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil, Raza Hasan, Imran Khan

Saeed Ajmal was becoming less of a mystery, given the high amount of video analysis and preparation – and the oppositions solely focusing on him. The best players of spin – Kohli, Amla, AB, Sangakkara – had him figured out and were scoring against him much more freely than before. A good spinner like Raza Hassan will have ‘the unknown factor’ advantage, as most of the teams will be facing him for the first time. Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil and Imran Khan would have their chances on a spot if Junaid Khan or Umar Gul failed to recover in time for the WC. <a title="Leading wicket takers in cricket World Cup history" href="http://www.crictracker.com/leading-wicket-takers-in-cricket-world-cup-history/" target="_blank">(also read Leading Wicket takers in WC)</a>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6914" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg" alt="Pakistani Tallest Bowler Mohammad Irfan" width="651" height="465" sizes="(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6914" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team&#8217;s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust.(Photo Source : AFP)</figcaption>

Pakistan’s Possible Squad: 1. Ahmed Shehzad 2. Mohammad Hafeez 3. Nasir Jamshed 4. Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain) 5. Younis Khan 6. Umar Akmal 7. Sohaib Maqsood 8. Shahid Afridi 9. Fawad Alam 10. Sarfraz Ahmed 12. Anwar Ali 12. Junaid Khan 13. Umar Gul 14. Mohammad Irfan 15. Wahab Riaz

Note: This is not an officially announced or guaranteed squad for the world cup but a probability based on the author’s own views and opinions.

Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India).

As 2015 approaches and Pakistan go through their ritualistic disastrous build-ups to a <a title="Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/statical-review-of-teams-in-cricket-world-cup/" target="_blank">Cricket World Cup 2015</a>, a signature of the side since the tournament’s 2003 edition, desperate fans try to clutch at straws by coming up with similarities between 2015 and the Proudest Moment of Pakistan cricket: 1992. The WC returns to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since that evening Imran Khan and team Pakistan lifted it for Pakistan to rise and shine.
For the most faithful amongst us, the same venue is justification enough but for those who need a little more convincing, Misbah’s Niazi heritage (similar to that of Imran Khan), the captaincy-tussle between Afridi and Misbah (Javed Miandad-Imran Khan), Sohaib Maqsood’s laidback Inzamam-styled bat swings and the sheer fact that Pakistan’s premium fast-bowler Junaid Khan bowls left-handed are all signs that Pakistan will repeat the miracle Down Under. The belief is so unwavering that Saeed Ajmal’s suspension has already been compared to losing Waqar Younis before the WC in 1992. At this rate, Nasir Jamshed hitting a purple patch and getting injured right before the WC will only be taken as a positive given the fate of Saeed Anwar twenty-three years ago.
The reality, however, resides in the shadow of doubt that has made a permanent home even in the most optimistic Pakistani fans’ minds and by extension the team itself. The loss of Saeed Ajmal is irreplaceable and most probably catastrophic. Afridi being handed the T20 captaincy right at the start of the season that culminates in the WC is only inviting a power struggle. And, to put it lightly, the eternal lack of consistency in the top three is embarrassing. Does Pakistan really have a shot then?
Captain:
Misbah-ul-Haq – A man that has been leading the Test team from 2010 and the ODI team from mid-2011. It was all quiet for Misbah-ul-Haq until he was rested for the 3rd ODI against Australia. Shahid Afridi took over captaincy in his absence which sparked a <a href="http://www.crictracker.com/misbah-vs-afridi-the-battle-continues/">controversy</a> large enough for the PCB Chairman to intervene and solve the issue. Issue has been resolved and Misbah-ul-Haq is announced as Captain of Pakistan’s ODI Team until World Cup 2015.
<figure id="attachment_6457" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6457" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6457" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Afridi-Misbah1.jpg" alt="Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India)." width="648" height="370" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6457" class="wp-caption-text">Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India).</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan has not tasted much success of late, but what Misbah has been instrumental in providing is stability to the current players’ mindsets. Most of the squad has been playing as a group for the past two to three years. Misbah has been vital towards breeding this sense of security amongst what is one of the most mentally fragile and insecure group of individuals – and Pakistan would want this to continue for till the World Cup. 

Openers:
Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. The early fall of wickets can have a psychological impact on the rest of the team, affecting their performance with the bat. As the approaching world cup is in Australia and New Zealand, it will makes the ball more liable to travel fast, bounce high, seam around (i.e., bounce unpredictably off the seam) and swing (i.e., deviate sideways when travelling through the air).
Expected: Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez
For a team that has tried 12 different opening pairs since the last world cup and was still on experiment with its opening pair in its last series, you can imagine how difficult it would be to find a suitable pair to open an innings in conditions alien to many batsmen from the subcontinent region. But one thing is for sure: Ahmed Shehzad. The boy has been consistently featuring in the playing XI since his return to top-class cricket in 2013 and he has equally justified why he was chosen in the first place. Mohammad Hafeez is likely to be the other partner. <a title="Australia’s Probable Squad for Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/australias-probable-squad-for-cricket-world-cup-2015/" target="_blank">(also read Aus Probable Squad WC 2015)</a>
Reserves: Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali
With Ahmed Shehzad confirmed as one part of the opening pair and Mohammad Hafeez in the side, it will difficult for any other opener to make it to the Pakistani squad for the world cup but if unfortunately, one got injured then Pakistan will have reserves in the shape of Sharjeel Khan – hard hitting batsman who can demolish any bowling line-up on his day and Azhar Ali – who has shown one numerous occasions that he has the calmness Pakistan would like in its opener and can hold one end up in times of distress.
<figure id="attachment_6901" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6901" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6901" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohd-Hafeez-and-Ahmed-Shehzad.jpg" alt="Mohd Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad latest photo" width="624" height="465" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6901" class="wp-caption-text">Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
 
Middle-Order
With openers exposed to early seam and swing bowling in fast-bowling conditions, it is likely that most opening partnerships would not be able to resist for a longer period in Australia and New Zealand. A solid middle-order would be required to knock-off the early hardness off the ball and then score plenty-full for their bowlers to defend.
Expected: Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sohaib Maqsood
Pakistan has had troubles with its opening pair but the middle-order is quite composed and based on veterans like Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal and with the return of Younis Khan, who is in red-hot form off late, would mean that Pakistan has nothing to worry about its middle-order. The bulk of the scoring will be done by Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq; Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots.
Younis Khan, Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal will score quick and easy runs while Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam would carry on with their hold-one-end-up thing and then blast away in the final overs of the game.
Reserves: Asad Shafiq, Umer Amin, Haris Sohail
Pakistan has a luxury of a long-list of awaiting contenders continuously knocking the selector’s door for their chances. Asad Shafiq and Umer Amin will pose a serious threat to any of the current under-performing middle-order batsman. Umer Amin may come handy with his medium pacers while Haris Sohail, yet to get a full chance at international level, may see his lucky-angels strike at the right moment.
<figure id="attachment_6902" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6902" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6902" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Umar-Akmal.jpg" alt="Umar Akmal plays late cut " width="618" height="416" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6902" class="wp-caption-text">Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>

All-Rounders
In One Day International cricket, all-rounders are generally required to change their game depending on the conditions. If their team loses wickets early, they must be able to play a long careful innings. Conversely, if they are not required to bat until later in the game, they must be able to attempt to score quickly, often attempting to hit many fours or sixes, and if they only have a short period to bat, they are expected to be innovative and able to settle after a short period. In run-chases they are required to be good at calculating and minimizing the risks needed to reach the target, by scoring at close to the rate required. If they score more quickly than is required, they run the risk of getting out and exposing the weaker, lower-order batsmen to the pressure situation, but if they score too slowly, then they fall behind schedule and the pressure again increases.
Expected: Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti
Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. His leg-spins and the ability to hit any ball out of the park will be the most wanted aspect for Pakistan if they want to do a longer journey this time. Afridi was the leading wicket-taker in the previous edition of the WC with India’s Zaheer Khan (21 wickets), however, Zaheer played more matches than Afridi
This World Cup is going to be won by strong fast-bowling all-rounders. It is the main reason New Zealand (Anderson, Neesham), South Africa (McLaren), Sri Lanka (Mathews, Pererra) and Australia (Watson, Johnson, Faulkner) are extremely strong contenders to go the whole hog. Pakistan will look for Anwar Ali or Bilawal Bhatti to take their place and perform both with the bat and the ball but recently, they both have lacked in keeping both aspects of their game up to standards.
Reserves: Hammad Azam
Hammad Azam showed a lot of interest and passion when he first entered into the national side from Under-19 circuit but was soon dropped and forgotten without an ample reason. However, Pakistan has a tendency to recall its lost players for major trophies and he could end up in the 15-man squad on the given day.
<figure id="attachment_6903" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6903" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6903" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi appeals " width="606" height="580" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6903" class="wp-caption-text">Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo Soruce: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>

Wicket-Keeper
Pakistan has a history of producing wicket-keepers. The likes of Moin Khan and Rashid Latif always gave their best for Pakistan.
Expected: Sarfraz Ahmed
Keeping the current form and mindset of PCB in mind, it is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC. The guy has been scoring huge runs in recent times and has used his brisk hitting to good effect. With a far better glove-work than most of his counter-parts, it should surely be him to carry-on this job at the WC.
Reserve: Kamran Akmal
Pakistan playing XI has regularly featured an Akmal since Kamran’s debut in 2003 but in recent times the Akmal has been his younger brother, but this man has a tendency to make it to every major trophy himself with his out of the blue return for WT20 2014 proving this fact. A major trophy at stake, Kamran would want to throw his hands on the trophy and get a call back in the senior squad.
<figure id="attachment_6913" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6913" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Pakistani Wicketkeeper Sarfarz Ahmed" width="606" height="382" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6913" class="wp-caption-text">It is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
 
Bowlers
Despite the recent dip in form and Ajmal’s probable absence, Pakistan’s bowling still remains its stronger suit. Death bowling, even with Ajmal in the team, has suffered drastically over the past year. Coach Waqar Younis needs to work with both Wahab and Junaid along with Gul on bowling in the last 15 overs.
The number of times our opponents recovered at the fag-end after Hafeez has kept things tight in the middle of the innings in the last 15 months is alarming. With Pakistan’s mental barrier at chasing anything beyond 240-250, this is all the more important.
Expected: Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul
Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team’s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust. During the tournament, he needs to be used as aggressively as possible at the start of the innings, which is where he will be most dangerous. Junaid Khan has the ability to move the ball both ways and trouble quality batsmen just like he troubled Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene, Alastair Cook and Hashim Amla in recent times. The Guldozer, Umar Gul, will be effective with his Yorkers at the death. A tournament suited for the bowlers and providing them with a chance to create their impact on the game, Pakistan would want its trio of Gul, Irfan and Junaid to penetrate deep in opponent’s batting line-ups.
Reserves: Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil, Raza Hasan, Imran Khan
Saeed Ajmal was becoming less of a mystery, given the high amount of video analysis and preparation – and the oppositions solely focusing on him. The best players of spin – Kohli, Amla, AB, Sangakkara – had him figured out and were scoring against him much more freely than before. A good spinner like Raza Hassan will have ‘the unknown factor’ advantage, as most of the teams will be facing him for the first time. Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil and Imran Khan would have their chances on a spot if Junaid Khan or Umar Gul failed to recover in time for the WC. <a title="Leading wicket takers in cricket World Cup history" href="http://www.crictracker.com/leading-wicket-takers-in-cricket-world-cup-history/" target="_blank">(also read Leading Wicket takers in WC)</a>
<figure id="attachment_6914" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6914" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6914" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg" alt="Pakistani Tallest Bowler Mohammad Irfan" width="651" height="465" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6914" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team’s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust.(Photo Source : AFP)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan’s Possible Squad: 1. Ahmed Shehzad 2. Mohammad Hafeez 3. Nasir Jamshed 4. Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain) 5. Younis Khan 6. Umar Akmal 7. Sohaib Maqsood 8. Shahid Afridi 9. Fawad Alam 10. Sarfraz Ahmed 12. Anwar Ali 12. Junaid Khan 13. Umar Gul 14. Mohammad Irfan 15. Wahab Riaz
Note: This is not an officially announced or guaranteed squad for the world cup but a probability based on the author’s own views and opinions.

As 2015 approaches and Pakistan go through their ritualistic disastrous build-ups to a <a title="Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/statical-review-of-teams-in-cricket-world-cup/" target="_blank">Cricket World Cup 2015</a>, a signature of the side since the tournament&#8217;s 2003 edition, desperate fans try to clutch at straws by coming up with similarities between 2015 and the Proudest Moment of Pakistan cricket: 1992. The WC returns to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since that evening Imran Khan and team Pakistan lifted it for Pakistan to rise and shine.
For the most faithful amongst us, the same venue is justification enough but for those who need a little more convincing, Misbah’s Niazi heritage (similar to that of Imran Khan), the captaincy-tussle between Afridi and Misbah (Javed Miandad-Imran Khan), Sohaib Maqsood&#8217;s laidback Inzamam-styled bat swings and the sheer fact that Pakistan’s premium fast-bowler Junaid Khan bowls left-handed are all signs that Pakistan will repeat the miracle Down Under. The belief is so unwavering that Saeed Ajmal&#8217;s suspension has already been compared to losing Waqar Younis before the WC in 1992. At this rate, Nasir Jamshed hitting a purple patch and getting injured right before the WC will only be taken as a positive given the fate of Saeed Anwar twenty-three years ago.
The reality, however, resides in the shadow of doubt that has made a permanent home even in the most optimistic Pakistani fans&#8217; minds and by extension the team itself. The loss of Saeed Ajmal is irreplaceable and most probably catastrophic. Afridi being handed the T20 captaincy right at the start of the season that culminates in the WC is only inviting a power struggle. And, to put it lightly, the eternal lack of consistency in the top three is embarrassing. Does Pakistan really have a shot then?
Captain:
Misbah-ul-Haq – A man that has been leading the Test team from 2010 and the ODI team from mid-2011. It was all quiet for Misbah-ul-Haq until he was rested for the 3rd ODI against Australia. Shahid Afridi took over captaincy in his absence which sparked a <a href="http://www.crictracker.com/misbah-vs-afridi-the-battle-continues/">controversy</a> large enough for the PCB Chairman to intervene and solve the issue. Issue has been resolved and Misbah-ul-Haq is announced as Captain of Pakistan’s ODI Team until World Cup 2015.
<figure id="attachment_6457" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6457" style="width: 648px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6457" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Afridi-Misbah1.jpg" alt="Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India)." width="648" height="370" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6457" class="wp-caption-text">Misbah-ul-Haq in chat with Shahid Afridi (most probably not about his captaicy).(Photo Source : ZeeNews.India).</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan has not tasted much success of late, but what Misbah has been instrumental in providing is stability to the current players&#8217; mindsets. Most of the squad has been playing as a group for the past two to three years. Misbah has been vital towards breeding this sense of security amongst what is one of the most mentally fragile and insecure group of individuals – and Pakistan would want this to continue for till the World Cup. 

Openers:
Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. The early fall of wickets can have a psychological impact on the rest of the team, affecting their performance with the bat. As the approaching world cup is in Australia and New Zealand, it will makes the ball more liable to travel fast, bounce high, seam around (i.e., bounce unpredictably off the seam) and swing (i.e., deviate sideways when travelling through the air).
Expected: Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez
For a team that has tried 12 different opening pairs since the last world cup and was still on experiment with its opening pair in its last series, you can imagine how difficult it would be to find a suitable pair to open an innings in conditions alien to many batsmen from the subcontinent region. But one thing is for sure: Ahmed Shehzad. The boy has been consistently featuring in the playing XI since his return to top-class cricket in 2013 and he has equally justified why he was chosen in the first place. Mohammad Hafeez is likely to be the other partner. <a title="Australia’s Probable Squad for Cricket World Cup 2015" href="http://www.crictracker.com/australias-probable-squad-for-cricket-world-cup-2015/" target="_blank">(also read Aus Probable Squad WC 2015)</a>
Reserves: Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali
With Ahmed Shehzad confirmed as one part of the opening pair and Mohammad Hafeez in the side, it will difficult for any other opener to make it to the Pakistani squad for the world cup but if unfortunately, one got injured then Pakistan will have reserves in the shape of Sharjeel Khan – hard hitting batsman who can demolish any bowling line-up on his day and Azhar Ali – who has shown one numerous occasions that he has the calmness Pakistan would like in its opener and can hold one end up in times of distress.
<figure id="attachment_6901" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6901" style="width: 624px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6901" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohd-Hafeez-and-Ahmed-Shehzad.jpg" alt="Mohd Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad latest photo" width="624" height="465" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6901" class="wp-caption-text">Openers are most important part of the teams batting order as the openers need to get the innings off to a good start. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
 
Middle-Order
With openers exposed to early seam and swing bowling in fast-bowling conditions, it is likely that most opening partnerships would not be able to resist for a longer period in Australia and New Zealand. A solid middle-order would be required to knock-off the early hardness off the ball and then score plenty-full for their bowlers to defend.
Expected: Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sohaib Maqsood
Pakistan has had troubles with its opening pair but the middle-order is quite composed and based on veterans like Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal and with the return of Younis Khan, who is in red-hot form off late, would mean that Pakistan has nothing to worry about its middle-order. The bulk of the scoring will be done by Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq; Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots.
Younis Khan, Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal will score quick and easy runs while Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam would carry on with their hold-one-end-up thing and then blast away in the final overs of the game.
Reserves: Asad Shafiq, Umer Amin, Haris Sohail
Pakistan has a luxury of a long-list of awaiting contenders continuously knocking the selector’s door for their chances. Asad Shafiq and Umer Amin will pose a serious threat to any of the current under-performing middle-order batsman. Umer Amin may come handy with his medium pacers while Haris Sohail, yet to get a full chance at international level, may see his lucky-angels strike at the right moment.
<figure id="attachment_6902" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6902" style="width: 618px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6902" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Umar-Akmal.jpg" alt="Umar Akmal plays late cut " width="618" height="416" sizes="(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6902" class="wp-caption-text">Umar Akmal will be handy with his immense talent to tear-apart any opponent with his 360 degree shots. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>

All-Rounders
In One Day International cricket, all-rounders are generally required to change their game depending on the conditions. If their team loses wickets early, they must be able to play a long careful innings. Conversely, if they are not required to bat until later in the game, they must be able to attempt to score quickly, often attempting to hit many fours or sixes, and if they only have a short period to bat, they are expected to be innovative and able to settle after a short period. In run-chases they are required to be good at calculating and minimizing the risks needed to reach the target, by scoring at close to the rate required. If they score more quickly than is required, they run the risk of getting out and exposing the weaker, lower-order batsmen to the pressure situation, but if they score too slowly, then they fall behind schedule and the pressure again increases.
Expected: Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti
Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. His leg-spins and the ability to hit any ball out of the park will be the most wanted aspect for Pakistan if they want to do a longer journey this time. Afridi was the leading wicket-taker in the previous edition of the WC with India’s Zaheer Khan (21 wickets), however, Zaheer played more matches than Afridi
This World Cup is going to be won by strong fast-bowling all-rounders. It is the main reason New Zealand (Anderson, Neesham), South Africa (McLaren), Sri Lanka (Mathews, Pererra) and Australia (Watson, Johnson, Faulkner) are extremely strong contenders to go the whole hog. Pakistan will look for Anwar Ali or Bilawal Bhatti to take their place and perform both with the bat and the ball but recently, they both have lacked in keeping both aspects of their game up to standards.
Reserves: Hammad Azam
Hammad Azam showed a lot of interest and passion when he first entered into the national side from Under-19 circuit but was soon dropped and forgotten without an ample reason. However, Pakistan has a tendency to recall its lost players for major trophies and he could end up in the 15-man squad on the given day.
<figure id="attachment_6903" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6903" style="width: 606px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6903" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi appeals " width="606" height="580" sizes="(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6903" class="wp-caption-text">Every Pakistani playing XI is incomplete without Shahid Afridi and he will be more suited to fill in the all-rounder’s boots in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo Soruce: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>

Wicket-Keeper
Pakistan has a history of producing wicket-keepers. The likes of Moin Khan and Rashid Latif always gave their best for Pakistan.
Expected: Sarfraz Ahmed
Keeping the current form and mindset of PCB in mind, it is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC. The guy has been scoring huge runs in recent times and has used his brisk hitting to good effect. With a far better glove-work than most of his counter-parts, it should surely be him to carry-on this job at the WC.
Reserve: Kamran Akmal
Pakistan playing XI has regularly featured an Akmal since Kamran’s debut in 2003 but in recent times the Akmal has been his younger brother, but this man has a tendency to make it to every major trophy himself with his out of the blue return for WT20 2014 proving this fact. A major trophy at stake, Kamran would want to throw his hands on the trophy and get a call back in the senior squad.
<figure id="attachment_6913" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6913" style="width: 606px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Pakistani Wicketkeeper Sarfarz Ahmed" width="606" height="382" sizes="(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6913" class="wp-caption-text">It is expected that Sarfraz will keep wickets for Pakistan this WC.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
 
Bowlers
Despite the recent dip in form and Ajmal&#8217;s probable absence, Pakistan&#8217;s bowling still remains its stronger suit. Death bowling, even with Ajmal in the team, has suffered drastically over the past year. Coach Waqar Younis needs to work with both Wahab and Junaid along with Gul on bowling in the last 15 overs.
The number of times our opponents recovered at the fag-end after Hafeez has kept things tight in the middle of the innings in the last 15 months is alarming. With Pakistan&#8217;s mental barrier at chasing anything beyond 240-250, this is all the more important.
Expected: Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul
Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team&#8217;s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust. During the tournament, he needs to be used as aggressively as possible at the start of the innings, which is where he will be most dangerous. Junaid Khan has the ability to move the ball both ways and trouble quality batsmen just like he troubled Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene, Alastair Cook and Hashim Amla in recent times. The Guldozer, Umar Gul, will be effective with his Yorkers at the death. A tournament suited for the bowlers and providing them with a chance to create their impact on the game, Pakistan would want its trio of Gul, Irfan and Junaid to penetrate deep in opponent’s batting line-ups.
Reserves: Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil, Raza Hasan, Imran Khan
Saeed Ajmal was becoming less of a mystery, given the high amount of video analysis and preparation – and the oppositions solely focusing on him. The best players of spin – Kohli, Amla, AB, Sangakkara – had him figured out and were scoring against him much more freely than before. A good spinner like Raza Hassan will have ‘the unknown factor’ advantage, as most of the teams will be facing him for the first time. Mohammad Talha, Ehsan Adil and Imran Khan would have their chances on a spot if Junaid Khan or Umar Gul failed to recover in time for the WC. <a title="Leading wicket takers in cricket World Cup history" href="http://www.crictracker.com/leading-wicket-takers-in-cricket-world-cup-history/" target="_blank">(also read Leading Wicket takers in WC)</a>
<figure id="attachment_6914" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6914" style="width: 651px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6914" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Irfan.jpg" alt="Pakistani Tallest Bowler Mohammad Irfan" width="651" height="465" sizes="(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6914" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Irfan on Australian pitches is the team&#8217;s trump card and needs to be treated like gold dust.(Photo Source : AFP)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan’s Possible Squad: 1. Ahmed Shehzad 2. Mohammad Hafeez 3. Nasir Jamshed 4. Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain) 5. Younis Khan 6. Umar Akmal 7. Sohaib Maqsood 8. Shahid Afridi 9. Fawad Alam 10. Sarfraz Ahmed 12. Anwar Ali 12. Junaid Khan 13. Umar Gul 14. Mohammad Irfan 15. Wahab Riaz
Note: This is not an officially announced or guaranteed squad for the world cup but a probability based on the author’s own views and opinions.

Pakistan&#039;s Probable squad for Cricket World Cup 2015

As 2015 approaches and Team Pakistan go through their ritualistic disastrous build-ups to a Cricket World Cup 2015,Probable/Squad

Pakistan&#039;s Probable squad for Cricket World Cup 2015

Pakistan's Probable squad for Cricket World Cup 2015