Pakistan will start as one of the title contenders in the upcoming ICC World T20 to be held in Sri Lanka. Pakistan have been the most consistent side in the past three events -- they were the finalists in the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, won the edition in England and were the semi-finalist in the last edition held in the West Indies.
All the sub-continents including Bangladesh will know that this is a very good opportunity for them as for the first time the T20 World Cup is taking place in sub-continent. Pakistan have almost the perfect squad with almost all their players are best suited for this format. Pakistan have some of the most experienced T20 players in their repertoire as the Pakistani players move around the globe and play in different T20 leagues.
Almost all the Pakistani players who have been picked for the World Cup squad featured in the recently held Sri Lanka Premier League and that will certainly help their cause. Pakistan recently defeated Australia in the three-match T20 series and that would have given them a huge boost.
Pakistani have the fire-power in the batting. Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Nazir can really make the bowlers pay in the first six overs. Imran Nazir likes to play short on every ball and he has the ability to connect most of the times and that makes him a very dangerous player. Young Nasir Jamshed had a brilliant series against Australia and he will provide the stability in the team.
The Akmal brothers are dangerous in the death overs. They like hitting bowlers over the top and scoring runs at good pace is not a problem for them. If anything goes wrong than Pakistan have the experience of Shoaib Malik in the middle-order.
Pakistan has the most fearsome hitters in the form of Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi to finish the innings on a high. Afridi’s batting form is not good, but he is a big match player and no match is over till the time he is on the crease. Razzaq has the talent to play some unbelievable innings and he can really take the attack to the opposition.
Pakistan team has one of the best T20 bowling attacks in the world. They have Umar Gul who can bowl with both new and the old ball. He is very consistent with his Yorkers and can change the game at any moment. He will be supported by Razzaq and Yasir Arafat who is very experienced in the T20 format. They also have Sohail Tanvir who can be a very awkward bowler to face.
Pakistani spinners will be a threat to every side, Saeed Ajmal is probably the best spinner going around, Shahid Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup’s and their captain Mohammed Hafeez is one of the most economical bowlers.
Key Players: Kamran Akmal, Mohammed Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul
Pakistan complete squad:
Mohammad Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Nasir Jamshed, Raza Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News Network
