A few reasons to be optimistic about our chances at the World Cup

[QuickCrick]

- We have found a batting combination capable of consistently scoring 280 which I think is a winning score if the bowlers are firing. Looked at the CT results to back up my point and in only 7 innings out 30 did a team score over 300.

- Our record in England is VERY good, we won the World T20 and the CT17!

- Sarfraz’s record in tournaments is exceptional, he’s led his team to CT17 PSL19 and U19’S WC. Also his win % in ODI’s is sitting it 61.76% (only bettered by Saleem Malik) if he can maintain this over the group games then we should be in the SF’s

- We don’t have batsmen that can score 70 off 40 but in Hassan Ali, Amir and Afridi we have a tail that can score 50 off 20

- No clear favourite, England and India are up there but both have slight issues. England’s strategy will be to bat the opposition out of the game, whilst India are overly reliant on top 3. Just need the batsmen to have a bad day!

- We are sooo out of form that no one is giving us a chance and this is when we are at our best. We just need to peak at the right time..

- Tour of England, the only thing the board have seemed to get right in planning. We have plenty of games to get used to conditions which should help us with a fast start.

- Hassan Ali seemed to have found his form at the PSL, he was the main reason we done well in the CT and if we are to compete then we need him at his best.

- Batting bench strength, in Abid and Rizwan we have found 2 batsmen that are capable of slotting with ease. This will hopefully mean the likes of Imam, Malik and Sarfraz have to up their game to remain in the team.

 

[aloo paratha]

Agree with most points but in which world can a tail of Hasan Ali, Amir and Afridi score 50 runs off 20 balls

Hasan can play decent cameos, and Amir can stick around if there's a good bat at the other end, but that's about it.

 

[moghul]

Our tail can compete for the worst tail award with any other country, a clear favorite. So bad that some of us call Faheem an allrounder, who gave away his wicket on 3rd or 4th ball he faces every time he bats.

Our middle order has no big hitting batsmen, unless we include players like Asif and probably Iftikhar which is unlikely, UA is already out. Out of form Fakhar and aging Shaoib are the only ones but they too not spending much time at the wicket lately.

Lets be realistic , lack of planning on part of selectors over last 4 years and ignoring the players performing in domestic FC circuit left us with no real hope this time.

 

[Bigbb]

Agree with all the points except one.
No way our tail can score 50 runs let alone off 20 balls. Hasan is just a slogger like Shami of India and sensible bowlers will get rid of him easily. Amir and Shaheen are orthodox tail-enders , so don't know how you got that from.

 

[Mueez]

I actually agree with all points.

Hasan Ali has 2 fifty’s and Amir has one too.

So we can count on them if needed.

Babar will also play a huge role as he has experience and is a much better cricketer overall compared to CT ‘17.

So yeah I’m pretty optimistic about the chances for Pak to qualify for the semis atleast.

 

[QuickCrick]

Ok maybe 50 off 20 is overly optimistic but my point is they can hit big - all we need is for them to get a couple of 6’s each and that would get us a decent score...

 

[Markhor]

I'm not optimistic due to our abysmal record vs top sides in ODIs but our preparation will be the best of all visiting sides.

We have 5 ODIs against the No.1 team in the world so plenty of time to acclimatise. We've toured England in 2016, 2017 and 2018 too so we should have a good grasp of the conditions.

 

[Hasan123]

Our expected batting line up and expected spinners don't give me the same hope as you.

 

[QuickCrick]

I’m not saying we’re going to win it but a semi final appearance will still be a good outcome and I think we have the tools to get there. Atm too many posters not giving us a chance, it’s never as bad as it seems.

We all need to change our tune and support the team otherwise otherwise we might aswell not turn up!

 

[QuickCrick]

Our expected batting line up and expected spinners don't give me the same hope as you.

I think our batting will be fine when batting first, chasing is a concern.

I agree with you about the spinners but since Ajmal we’ve only used them defensively, if Hafeez is back then that is 10 overs taken care of and will leave us plenty of options..

 

[Syed1]

I would be pleasantly surprised if we make it to the semis with this side.

 

[criclove34]

Pakistan never have strategy - so called "tukka.." Even CT win if Bumrah had bowled no ball or in WC92 if Pakistan game ENG if ENG would have batted for 3 more over to constitute as a game no rained out Pak would have been out from tournament.

Pakistan cricket is following the legacy of Hockey and Squash as talent alone cannot win a modern sport you did fitness, strategy and planning.

 

[Syed1]

Pakistan never have strategy - so called "tukka.." Even CT win if Bumrah had bowled no ball or in WC92 if Pakistan game ENG if ENG would have batted for 3 more over to constitute as a game no rained out Pak would have been out from tournament.

Pakistan cricket is following the legacy of Hockey and Squash as talent alone cannot win a modern sport you did fitness, strategy and planning.

It is pathetic mentality to think Pakistan didn't lose the CT final just because of that one noball.



Fun fact: Fakhar Zaman batted for 100+ balls after that noball playing high risk cricket, what was preventing the Indians from picking his wicket?


Always easy to put down a Pak win. Those who think winning four games on the trot, three of which you utterly dominate is a fluke then they really need to educate themselves before running mouth.

 

[Boi]

Fitness and fielding is the best it’s been going into a big tournament.

 

[Markhor]

It is pathetic mentality to think Pakistan didn't lose the CT final just because of that one noball.



Fun fact: Fakhar Zaman batted for 100+ balls after that noball playing high risk cricket, what was preventing the Indians from picking his wicket?


Always easy to put down a Pak win. Those who think winning four games on the trot, three of which you utterly dominate is a fluke then they really need to educate themselves before running mouth.

Tendulkar was dropped four times in Mohali, England also benefited from rain in their 92 SF, what if Allan Donald didn't have a brain implosion in the 99 SF.

Every champion has had some luck on the way.

 

[Hasan123]

I think our batting will be fine when batting first, chasing is a concern.

I agree with you about the spinners but since Ajmal we’ve only used them defensively, if Hafeez is back then that is 10 overs taken care of and will leave us plenty of options..

Lol our formula under Sarfraz and Mickey is to chase most of the time if possible.

Hafeez and Imad type spinners are useless in this era . You need a wicket taking spinner. Like Rashid ,Rashid Khan ,Zampa . Shadab needs to improve his bowling.

 

[GreenKhan]

I believe we have a decent chance of Making the semi finals . After that it’s all about momentum. Despite being thought of as a team who wilt under pressure Pakistan have done well in ICC tournaments generally having Won 2 In the last 10 years.

I think we need to start well and a win against West Indies is a must .

Batting wise we need to be scoring 270 plus when batting first In general otherwise we could struggle to defend.

The bowling seems to be sorted .
Shaheen , hassan , shadab are wicket takers . Add to that potentially an inform Amir , and the experience of Junaid , and the pace of shinwari ( he does have his bad days ) and Faheem , he is a decent bowler to support the front main pacers then we do have reasons to be optimistic. Even imad can be dangerous for some teams who have not faced him much .

The fielding in general is good .

My concern is the batting . I am not convinced we can chase a 270-300 score against top opposition in a pressure match . That’s where I think we could fail .

My starting 11 would be

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Harris
Sarfaraz
Asif Ali/ Hafeez
Shadab
Faheem/ Imad
Hassan
Junaid / Amir
Afridi

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Do you mean the tail can score 5 of 2 balls? Because 50 of 20 balls I have never seen it.

Pakistan team is decent. Bowling is pretty good. Batting is a bit weak as always. Should make it to Semi or it will be close call. Sarfaraz is usually good in tournaments.

 

[gazza619]

I have high hopes from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.

If our bowling clicks then who knows

 

[QuickCrick]

Lol our formula under Sarfraz and Mickey is to chase most of the time if possible.

Hafeez and Imad type spinners are useless in this era . You need a wicket taking spinner. Like Rashid ,Rashid Khan ,Zampa . Shadab needs to improve his bowling.

Unlike us most teams are competent playing spin so I don’t think it will be as decisive as people think. A containing spin attack with attacking pacers is what we are going which is probably the best way to go in England.

Shadab was always a limited over spin bowler, I think he’s lost his was trying to become a test bowler. Hopefully this break has done him some good and comes back a better player.

 

[Stewie]

Yeah we are weak in the spin dept.. imad is not a wicket taking option. If only Hafeez didn’t have the issues he has had.. and bowled regularly.. he provided so much balance to the team with his bowling

 

[QuickCrick]

I believe we have a decent chance of Making the semi finals . After that it’s all about momentum. Despite being thought of as a team who wilt under pressure Pakistan have done well in ICC tournaments generally having Won 2 In the last 10 years.

I think we need to start well and a win against West Indies is a must .

Batting wise we need to be scoring 270 plus when batting first In general otherwise we could struggle to defend.

The bowling seems to be sorted .
Shaheen , hassan , shadab are wicket takers . Add to that potentially an inform Amir , and the experience of Junaid , and the pace of shinwari ( he does have his bad days ) and Faheem , he is a decent bowler to support the front main pacers then we do have reasons to be optimistic. Even imad can be dangerous for some teams who have not faced him much .

The fielding in general is good .

My concern is the batting . I am not convinced we can chase a 270-300 score against top opposition in a pressure match . That’s where I think we could fail .

My starting 11 would be

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Harris
Sarfaraz
Asif Ali/ Hafeez
Shadab
Faheem/ Imad
Hassan
Junaid / Amir
Afridi

I like the optimism and agree some of what you have said. Personally I’d like to see Babar open and move the others up one which would then allow us to have to have another option in the lower middle order. Also NO to USK!

 

[QuickCrick]

Yeah we are weak in the spin dept.. imad is not a wicket taking option. If only Hafeez didn’t have the issues he has had.. and bowled regularly.. he provided so much balance to the team with his bowling

I think he hasn’t bowled to avoid being banned, I’m pretty confident he’s saving the bowling for the WC.

 

[QuickCrick]

I have high hopes from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.

If our bowling clicks then who knows

I’m hoping Fakhar kicks on, his inclusion during the CT made a huge difference..

 

[Stewie]

My starting lineup:
Imam
Fakhar
Harris
Babar
Sarfaraz
Hafeez
faheem
Shadab
Hasan
hasnain
Afridi

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

My starting lineup:
Imam
Fakhar
Harris
Babar
Sarfaraz
Hafeez
faheem
Shadab
Hasan
hasnain
Afridi

Solid. I would play Junaid or Usman over Hasnain.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Could very well be Hafeez’s last tournament so he should feel free to chuck without hesitation. A chucking Hafeez will be more dangerous than both Imad and Shadab.

 

[Stewie]

Could very well be Hafeez’s last tournament so he should feel free to chuck without hesitation. A chucking Hafeez will be more dangerous than both Imad and Shadab.

I don’t know about that! Haha .

Shadab is a top bowler.. don’t think he can match good ol Shadab

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

- Sarfraz’s record in tournaments is exceptional, he’s led his team to CT17 PSL19 and U19’S WC. Also his win % in ODI’s is sitting it 61.76% (only bettered by Saleem Malik) if he can maintain this over the group games then we should be in the SF’s

I will add that Sarfraz has a great record in global odi tournaments and he was our best batsman in 2015 WC so cant write him off in batting. I wont be surprised if he ups his game in another global odi tournament.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Have mentioned it in another thread that if we go with this top 5 i believe we are going with a v.strong one.

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz (avgs 50+ at 5).

These 5 are capable of giving us a platform to score 300+. Just needs to have some firing no 6 and 7. Hopefully 1 of Imad or Hafeez as now they are locked for WC.

Bowling is my worry though. Hope Hasan, Shahyy and Shady clicks. Hasnain can be our dark horse. Quick learner that lad!

 

[Bigbb]

Have mentioned it in another thread that if we go with this top 5 i believe we are going with a v.strong one.

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz (avgs 50+ at 5).

These 5 are capable of giving us a platform to score 300+. Just needs to have some firing no 6 and 7. Hopefully 1 of Imad or Hafeez as now they are locked for WC.

Bowling is my worry though. Hope Hasan, Shahyy and Shady clicks. Hasnain can be our dark horse. Quick learner that lad!

Yes. That top 5 can score 300+. But only against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and may be Bangladesh. If Fakhar doesn't hack his way through a quick 50 or more then even 250 is tough with that line up against decent opponents.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Yes. That top 5 can score 300+. But only against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and may be Bangladesh. If Fakhar doesn't hack his way through a quick 50 or more then even 250 is tough with that line up against decent opponents.

Disagree big time.

These 5 are well capable of scoring around 215-3 or 215-4 at the end of 40th over. Rest is dependent on lower order.

 

[QuickCrick]

I will add that Sarfraz has a great record in global odi tournaments and he was our best batsman in 2015 WC so cant write him off in batting. I wont be surprised if he ups his game in another global odi tournament.

Everyone outside Pakistan rate him high let yet everyone in Pakistan seem to hate him - personally i’d say he’s the best captain when it comes to tourney cricket playing at the WC.

Dhoni is better but is not captaining and he always has had the squad that on paper should win..

 

[QuickCrick]

Disagree big time.

These 5 are well capable of scoring around 215-3 or 215-4 at the end of 40th over. Rest is dependent on lower order.

Same, I’m confident the top 5 can get us to 200ish. We need our lower order/tail to get us up to 300...

I really want Babar to open so that we can have a lower order of Hafeez, Asif Ali and Imad followed by our tail that can hit abit..

Ideal batting line up

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez -
Asif Ali - 30 off 20
Imad - 30 off 20
Faheem 12 off 6
Hassan 12 off 6
Amir 10 of 4
Shaheen

If Shadab plays then he has to play at 5 otherwise he’s wasted and the rest of the order remains as it is...

 

[moghul]

A modern day ODI batting order should look like this

1-Fakhar
2-Imam
3-Babar
4-Harris Sohail
5-Asif Ali
6-Iftikhar

 

[moghul]

Same, I’m confident the top 5 can get us to 200ish. We need our lower order/tail to get us up to 300...

I really want Babar to open so that we can have a lower order of Hafeez, Asif Ali and Imad followed by our tail that can hit abit..

Ideal batting line up

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez -
Asif Ali - 30 off 20
Imad - 30 off 20
Faheem 12 off 6
Hassan 12 off 6
Amir 10 of 4
Shaheen

If Shadab plays then he has to play at 5 otherwise he’s wasted and the rest of the order remains as it is...

Faheem , generally doesn't stay for 6 balls, gets out on third ball with pull shot , caught at short mid-wicket.