Pakistan cricket team seem to be in good form, even though one do not dare to use this as a reliable parameter to analyze the chances of Pakistani cricket team in a major tournament. However, even apart from form, the team seems to be a well-balanced unit. We seem to have finally found a solution to our opening pair troubles with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq bringing back the memories and promise of Saeed-Amir era. The pair also is a great fit together with explosive batting style and in the air shots from Fakhar complemented by a more calculated and along the ground shots of Imam. The pair is to be followed by Babar Azam at number 3, one of the most promising batting talents of not only Pakistan but internationally as well. He averages 54+ and brings a much needed surety and sense of calmness in the batting order. He will be helped in achieving that by the veteran and sensible Shoaib Malik. These two in middle order guarantee some useful run-a-ball scores in middle of the innings and are to be followed by the Captain Sarfaraz and the explosive Asif Ali both of whom can either accumulate and help resore decency
Pakistan cricket team seem to be in good form, even though it is a not a parameter you usually rely on when analyzing the chances of Pakistani cricket team. However, even apart from form, the team seems to be a well-balanced unit. We seem to have finally found a solution to our opening pair troubles with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq bringing back the memories and promise of Saeed-Amir era. The pair also is a great fit together with explosive batting style and in the air shots from Fakhar complemented by a more calculated and along the ground shots of Imam. The pair is to be followed by Babar Azam at number 3, one of the most promising batting talents of not only Pakistan but internationally as well. He averages 54+ and brings a much needed surety and sense of calmness in the batting order. He will be helped in achieving that by the veteran and sensible Shoaib Malik. These two in middle order guarantee some useful run a ball scores in middle of the innings and are to be followed by the Captain Sarfaraz and the explosive Asif Ali who can either accumulate of hit it big depending on the situation. Faheem Ashraf at number 7 is not at the Abdul Razzaq level yet but he is a promising talent and will add some useful runs. Number 8 Hassan Ali and number 9 Shadab Khan are not bad with the bat and these three together can contribute with crucial runs at the tail end.
Talk about bowling and we may not be at that Waqar-Wasim level, even the Amir-Asif magic may not be seen here but you can be confident of bowling department when you have at least half a dozen options to choose from who will partner with Mohammad Amir to start the bowling attack. Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Irfan might be the most suitable options. If the management does its homework, we can choose the best option to partner with Amir depending upon the pitch condition. The opposition batsman won’t be relieved to see Hassan Ali coming in as first change either, the lad have been in sensational form and his hard work and consistency have produced a hard to forget 2017/18 for him. Shadab gives an excellent spin option and is supported by Faheem Ashraf who can be devastating on his own on a given day. The bowling department looks good while the batting even better, at least on paper-Something you usually do not get to say about Pakistan Cricket Team.
The coming Asia cup being a major multinational tournament before next year’s world cup will be a good opportunity to gauge strengths and weaknesses, find the most suitable and lethal combination in bowling attack.
As said in the beginning, form or outlook on paper is not something you can really rely on to analyze the chances of Pakistan cricket team in a tournament, and we won’t do that, but I will go on and dare to say that this team have the potential of achieving even greater heights after the Champions Trophy crown of last year. Winning gives you confidence and it is addictive so leaves you carving for more.
Pakistan cricket team seem to be in good form, even though it is a not a parameter you usually rely on when analyzing the chances of Pakistani cricket team. However, even apart from form, the team seems to be a well-balanced unit. We seem to have finally found a solution to our opening pair troubles with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq bringing back the memories and promise of Saeed-Amir era. The pair also is a great fit together with explosive batting style and in the air shots from Fakhar complemented by a more calculated and along the ground shots of Imam. The pair is to be followed by Babar Azam at number 3, one of the most promising batting talents of not only Pakistan but internationally as well. He averages 54+ and brings a much needed surety and sense of calmness in the batting order. He will be helped in achieving that by the veteran and sensible Shoaib Malik. These two in middle order guarantee some useful run a ball scores in middle of the innings and are to be followed by the Captain Sarfaraz and the explosive Asif Ali both of whom can either accumulate and help restore some decency OR hit it big to pulverize the opposition depending on the situation. Faheem Ashraf at number 7 is not at the Abdul Razzaq level but he is a promising talent and will add some useful runs. Number 8 Hassan Ali and number 9 Shadab Khan are not bad with the bat and these three together can contribute with crucial runs at the tail end.The batting unit overall look very well balanced and one that can hit 290-310 mark consistently.
Talk about bowling and traditionally 290-310 have proven enough for pack of young fast Pakistani bowlers agaisnt any opposition in any conditions. They have been good and bowling have been the tool Pakistan have emplyed ever so often to dismantle the opposition. Today we may not be at that Waqar-Wasim level, even the Amir-Asif magic may not be seen here but you can be confident of bowling department when you have at least half a dozen options to choose from who will partner with Mohammad Amir to start the bowling attack. Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Irfan might be the most suitable options. If the management does its homework, we can choose the best option to partner with Amir depending upon the pitch condition. The opposition batsman won’t be relieved to see Hassan Ali coming in as first change either, the lad have been in sensational form and his hard work and consistency have produced a hard to forget 2017/18 for him. Shadab gives an excellent spin option and is supported by Faheem Ashraf who can be devastating on his own on a given day. The bowling department looks good while the batting even better, at least on paper-Something you usually do not get to say about Pakistan Cricket Team.
The coming Asia cup being a major multinational tournament before next year’s world cup will be a good opportunity to gauge strengths and weaknesses, find the most suitable and lethal combination in bowling attack.
As said in the beginning, form or outlook on paper is not something you can really rely on to analyze the chances of Pakistan cricket team in a tournament, and we won’t do that, but I will go on and dare to say that this team have the potential of achieving even greater heights after the Champions Trophy crown of last year. Winning gives you confidence and it is addictive, leaves you carving for more.
Written by Arsalan Aslam for PDF.
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