Pakistan has historically been a strong side in the world tournaments. This year is no different, and they will certainly look to show their mettle in the biggest tournament.
The top order looks formidable with Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babr Azam. They certainly are among the best top 3 going around. There are a few concerns about Fakhar's lack of form, but he is a big-match player and will certainly turn out with all guns blazing. Imam has been more of an accumulator, holding one end as Fakhar goes on to attack. Then you have the No.1 ODI batsman, Babar Azam, coming out at No.3.
There were a few concerns about who would be No.4, but that seems to have been resolved with Mohammad Rizwan taking up that role with good success. Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman will fight it out for the No.5 slot; Salman is ahead of Shakeel due to the few overs of off-spin that he can offer, but Shakeel is a more accomplished batsman. Iftikhar Ahmed will slot in at No.6 and he has been in good nick on the back of a century in the Asia Cup. Overall the middle order looks pretty decent enough, but is still heavily reliant on the start given by the top 3.
Iftikhar will need to step up the scoring rate in the final overs, and he has done it decently well. The late hitting will be carried out by Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Both Shadab and Nawaz can bat in the death overs and score at a brisk rate.
They have only one wicket-keeper in the side i.e., Mohammad Rizwan. It would be interesting to see who will keep the wickets if Rizwan misses a game due to any reason.
The bowling looks good even in the absence of Naseem Shah. The pace bowling will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. will fight out for the 3rd seamer's spot; Hasan looks like a better option with his experience in the big tournaments. Afridi offers the left-arm angle and also swings the bowl at a brisk pace; Rauf on the other hand is known for bowling the thunderbolts and he holds the key in the middle and the death overs bolwing. Ali and Wasim are known for their swing and seam movements and can be handy with the new ball if the conditions favor the pacers.
Pakistan looks thin on the spin department. They had the leg spinners, Shadab Khan and Usama Mir, and their lead spinners. Mohammad Nawaz offers the left-arm slow bowling option. They hope that Shadab comes back to his best and helps them in making the best use of Indian conditions. Shabad and Nawaz will be the first choice pair and Mir will be the backup option. Salman and Iftikhar can roll their arm over if the conditions favor them.
Expectations
They have to fight with South Africa and New Zealand for the top 4 finish
15-man squad
Batsman
Babar Azam
Abdullah Shafique
Fakhar Zaman
Iftikhar Ahmed
Imam-ul-Haq
Saud Shakeel
Wicket Keepers
Mohammad Rizwan
All-Rounders
Agha Salman
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Bowlers
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali
Usama Mir
Probable Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman
Imam-ul-Haq
Babar Azam (C)
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Agha Salman
Iftikhar Ahmed
Mohammad Nawaz
Shadab Khan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali
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