T20 World Cup 2021 Team Preview – Pakistan

Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal- The trio held the top three spots in the all-time wicket-taker’s list in T20Is for quite some time. After they faded away from international cricket, the likes of Rashid Khan, Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan and Lasith Malinga toppled them. In fact, Afridi fell only two wickets short of becoming the only Pakistan bowler to pick up 100 wickets in T20Is.

Gul got five wicket-hauls twice, conceding less than six runs both times in spells against New Zealand and South Africa. It didn’t spring a surprise that Pakistan won the 2009 World T20 after agonisingly ending as the runners-up in 2007. But from there on, Pakistan have strained. However, they became the No.1 T20I team and held the top spot for more than two years before losing it on May 2020.

Pakistan have had a rather wobbly run in 2021. They defeated South Africa- home and away- and Zimbabwe. But they lost to England 1-2 after winning the opening T20I in Nottingham. In the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam, who has a point to prove as far as his captaincy is concerned. The team has lacked consistency big time due to which they have fallen behind a bit.

Build-up form

There’s very little doubt that Pakistan have oodles of talent in their domestic circuit. Although they hardly enter any tournament as the firm favourites, the team manages to grab the limelight. ‘Unpredictability’ is the term generally associated with them due to their tendency to both implode and explode in unexpected circumstances. But despite that, one can’t afford to count Pakistan out.

Pakistan made a brilliant start to the warm-ups as they defeated West Indies by seven wickets. Babar Azam’s half-century made sure that they tracked down an under-par target of 131 with 27 balls to spare. Just when it seemed that they would go to the Super 12s after back-to-back wins, the ‘implosion’ took place. Pakistan snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against South Africa.

With the Proteas needing 19 to win off the last over, Hasan Ali leaked 22 runs. Rassie van der Dussen’s century didn’t allow Pakistan to end their warm-ups on the high. Their first opponent in the Super 12s, India, are on a roll having beaten England and Australia. Having not won a single World Cup game against the Men in Blue, Pakistan have a herculean task awaiting them on October 24.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Pakistan’s strength lies in their openers- Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Statistically, they have been the standout performers in T20Is over the last 12 months or so. The 29-year-old Rizwan is currently the leading T20I run-scorer in 2021, having notched 752 runs at an incredible average of 94 and a strike rate of 140.03. The second-placed Babar in the same list is 229 runs behind Rizwan.

Babar has averaged 37.35, much lesser than his career average of 46.89. But with four tons and one century in 2021, the 27-year-old hasn’t flattered to deceive. Hasan Ali has been in incredible form in 2021, having picked up 17 wickets from 11 matches. But Pakistan would be a tad worried after his performance the other night against the Proteas where Van der Dussen took him to the cleaners.

Pakistan’s vulnerability in the middle-order remains a massive concern. After Babar and Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman features in the list of leading T20I run-scorers for Pakistan in 2021. The left-hander has scored 183 runs at an average of 20.33. Apart from the trio, only Mohammad Hafeez has scored over 100 T20I runs in the ongoing year, but at a disastrous average of 11.77 and a strike rate of 113.97.

Adaptability and flexibility

Pakistan will play two out of their five games at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium where the pitches are conducive to spin-bowling. Hence, the likes of Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are expected to play critical roles. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez can also roll their arms over if need be. Changes of pace from the fast bowlers will also hold a lot of significance in Sharjah.

Even in Abu Dhabi, the spinners can come into play. The Men in Green also have two matches scheduled in Dubai. The pitch there assists the pacers and Pakistan have three quality pacers, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Mohammad Wasim Jr. made his debut earlier this year after an impressive campaign for Islamabad United in the PSL, but he may not be their first-choice bowler.

Moreover, Pakistan have had UAE as their home ground since the 2009 Sri Lankan bus attack. Their players have also taken part in several PSL matches in Dubai. Hence, adapting to the playing conditions shouldn’t be an issue for Babar Azam and Co. Hafeez and Malik, who both are at the fag end of their playing days, need to bring their experience to the for in Pakistan’s fragile middle-order.

Probable finish 

The Super 12s have six teams each from two groups. Only the top two team from Group 1 and Group 2 will qualify for the semis. New Zealand and India are deemed favourites for now to go into the semis. But Pakistan have a slight chance to make it to the next round, edging past the Black Caps. They, however, have to win at least three out of their five matches to make progress.

Schedule

24 October – vs India, Dubai

26 October – vs New Zealand, Sharjah

29 October – vs Afghanistan, Dubai

02 November – vs Namibia, Abu Dubai

07 November – vs Scotland, Sharjah