ICC
Pakistan, who had a good start in the ODIs this year, went on a derail during the Asia Cup 2023. Captain Babar Azam has to bring back his team to make sure his men are giving their best in the tournament. Their entire top order relies on the skipper, which makes it more difficult for him to manage. However, the team has huge potential to tear down the opposition in the tournament.
The Pakistan team has always been lethal with their bowling unit in the 90s as well as today. With sharp pacers like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, Pakistan can restrict any batting order. However, their youngster, Naseem Shah, faced an uncertain shoulder injury, which can hinder Pakistan a bit. Their lead spinner, Shabab Khan, couldn’t do much with the ball this year, lacking behind at the Sri Lankan pitches.
Their all-rounder, Iftikhar Ahmed, is the muscle power of the team. He can change the course of the match with his big hitting and is very useful with the bat in the death overs.
KEY PLAYERS
1. SHAHEEN AFRIDI
All eyes are on Shaheen Afridi, who is considered one of the most enviable bowlers in the tournament. With his experience and bowling skills, Shaheen can make the opposition’s batting suffer. The left-arm fast bowler played twelve ODI matches this year, clinching 24 wickets at a stunning economy of 5.30. He can make the top orders of the opposition walk back without letting them score much.
2. Iftikhar Ahmed
The batter all-rounder is currently the backbone of Pakistan. He has played nine ODI matches, scoring 348 runs and four wickets as well.
It will be interesting to see an unpredictable Pakistan side play this World Cup with an element of surprise for the viewers and oppositions.
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
