Can Sharjeel, Babar and Amir inspire Pakistan to defeat India at the Champions Trophy?

[street cricketer]

The last time these two sides met in ODIs, both turned out to be one sided affairs in favour of India.

Virat Kohli vs Junaid Khan was the much anticipated battle at Birmingham 3 years ago. However as rain lashed out on and off, a red hot Indian team which was undefeated in the tournament then, kept reducing the Pakistan team until the final target didn't require much more than a comfortable stroll from the Indian batsmen in the end.

Things were a bit different at Adelaide though. India were coming after a tough and tiring test tour of Australia followed by a dismal performance in a triseries with the Ashes rivals. Pakistan had a great chance of upsetting the apple cart and defeating India in the marquee world cup opener. Things started well for Pakistan as Rohit Sharma holed out to Misbah at the start. But Dhawan and Kohli united for a partnership to help India reach 300, which they defended with comfortable ease in the end.

However as India and Pakistan return to the familiar scene at Birmingham 3 years later, the two teams have undergone a bit of a transition. Pakistan have always had to battle a much superior Indian team with weak teams. But the past few months have seen the emergence of 2 batting stars in Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam, and the return of the prodigiously talented Mohammed Amir in the Pakistan team. Sharjeel and Babar have become world class ODI players in a short while whereas Amir would love to replicate his performance against his rivals when he played them the last time around. Meanwhile the captaincy of the Indian team has been transferred from MS Dhoni, who won more than double the matches he lost against the traditional rivals under his captaincy, to the icon batsman in Virat Kohli. Kohli's last match against Pakistan as a captain wouldn't be memorable to him as Afridi won the Asia cup match off the last over for Pakistan.

Pakistan didn't have a single world class batsman in their ranks for so many years but suddenly they have found two in Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam now.

Can the two help Pakistan begin their Champions trophy campaign on a successful note with the help of their talismanic bowler Mohammed Amir when they play their traditional rivals in a few months time at Edgbaston?

 

[Ankit007]

Yes they can but they won't.... Like always

 

[_Salman_]

Should be a good game, maybe under Safraz's captaincy.

 

[Ankit007]

Kohli always bats to defeat Pakistan. I hope we chase...

 

[Amirforpresident]

I would like to say yes, but tbh I dont know how our bowlers can get the wicket of Virat. Maybe if Amir gets one of the openers cheaply and the ball is still swinging he could get him out and that's a big MAYBE.

And ofcourse Sharjeel needs to fire and Babar Azam needs to score a ton than we might have a chance
Which I am scared will be very hard against Bhuvi and shami in English conditions.

IT is going to exciting that's for sure

 

[Anis10]

The only way I see us winning is getting quick early wickets and chasing a target like 225.

Kind of like how we won the series in 2013, if it's a good batting wicket and high scoring game then we have no chance.

 

[Inswing]

Nopes

 

[Madplayer]

When India win, they win easily.
When Pak win, its a nail biter.

 

[ethan hunt]

Yes they can but they won't.... Like always

Interesting title and even more interesting responses .
Dont follow cricket as much these days but pakistan must be terrible for an Indian fan to say this . Lol
India go into the game as favourites but they will miss the Msd factor and pakistan hopefully wont be captained by azhar .
The last CT game between the two sides was a dead rubber iirc . Hopefully not this time around.

 

[MenInG]

Kohli always bats to defeat Pakistan. I hope we chase...

Its Kohli always - remove Kohli early and then dream further.

 

[Syed1]

Its Kohli always - remove Kohli early and then dream further.

Exactly, in the last few matches Pakistan has ripped through India's famed batting but there has always been one man standing infront of us and that is Kohli. If we find a way around him then our chances of winning increase significantly.

 

[Hawkeye]

Nope.

Shobby will inspire everyone else and win it for us, scoring 150 at 150 strike rate, chasing a total of 330.

Have faith.

 

[MenInG]

Exactly, in the last few matches Pakistan has ripped through India's famed batting but there has always been one man standing infront of us and that is Kohli. If we find a way around him then our chances of winning increase significantly.

well ripped is not the word I would use! I say we odds even out pretty much with Kohli gone.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

We aren't defending anythint against them. Need to get lucky with the toss first and decide to chase.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Its Kohli always - remove Kohli early and then dream further.

Kohli is very vulnerable outside off stump very early into his innings. He attacks to make the bowler and team go in defensive mode. He is good at judging the body language of the opponent to start the counter attack. Would have been a great contest to watch him being bullied by Ricky and his men then. He plays balls on merit even he is in full firepower he leaves the good ball and ducks to a good bouncer is his speciality.

 

[world cup captain]

Before every Pakistan v India, threads like these are made. In the end, India ends up winning.

 

[sarthak]

MSD isn't captaining. Pak should bag this easily. Sharjeel to get a 50-ball hundred and Amir to bag a 5-fer.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

We aren't defending anythint against them. Need to get lucky with the toss first and decide to chase.

In the recent aus series Azhar after losing all five tosses says u can't practice that. Actually u can, he should ask dhoni how he practices winning tosses. He lost all five tosses to unlucky smith even.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Yeah Sharjeel at the top has made this lineup quite formidable IMO. Can't really choke them with tight bowling anymore. Pakistan are favourites quite comfortably to win this match.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Anything is possible.

However, there is a big gap between the abilities of the two current teams.

I still believe Pak has a slightly better bowling attack, but the difference in batting and fielding is too vast.

In effect Pakistan need to make 300 runs to have any chance of defending, while India only needs 250 to defend.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Not yet. We need Irfan, Gohar and Haris in the lineup and the two mental midgets out. Umar has to open.

 

[Syed1]

Yeah Sharjeel at the top has made this lineup quite formidable IMO. Can't really choke them with tight bowling anymore. Pakistan are favourites quite comfortably to win this match.

I see what you are doing there

 

[street cricketer]

Thing is, in the past, you knew that once you made 300, the target was out of reach for Pakistan. I knew that India would win comfortably after they made 300 at Adelaide as they didn't have a batting capable of chasing 300 and plus scores.

But not anymore.

 

[speedking]

this time its Pakistan favorite we have way too many issues

 

[Rayyman]

Guys like [MENTION=139664]street cricketer[/MENTION] are the reason why Amir is considered over-rated on this forum.

 

[Speedster777]

Asif and Butt should be added to squad. Sarfraz be made the captain. India will be beaten fair and square.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan has to change the mindset and improve fielding , otherwise they cannot beat India , even if they are in good position

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Thing is, in the past, you knew that once you made 300, the target was out of reach for Pakistan. I knew that India would win comfortably after they made 300 at Adelaide as they didn't have a batting capable of chasing 300 and plus scores.

But not anymore.

Exactly. They are scoring 300 easily against Starc/Hazlewood/Cummins. Our trundlers stand no chance . A lot of PPers underestimating their own team which is surprising.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I see what you are doing there

I'm not doing anything. Pakistan have competed better in OZ in ODIs than we did and against a better attack as well. I'd say both teams are about equal with Pakistan having a slight edge due to having a better bowling attack. Now, your team might still choke and gift us the match . But atleast on paper you are a better team.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It's not that difficult to beat india these days. You just have to take Kohli's wicket.

 

[coy0607]

if Azhar is still captain, nobody is getting inspired other than the opposition

 

[MenInG]

if Azhar is still captain, nobody is getting inspired other than the opposition

Nothing to do with the captain. If people cant bowl like international bowlers than Azhar is not the problem.

First get that set of top level performers then you will get a captain commensurate with their skillsets.

 

[Ankit007]

Its Kohli always - remove Kohli early and then dream further.

Well India has a team of match winners right now. If not kohli then jadhav, rohit or someone else might haunt you mate... You make plans for kohli and you will see someone else stealing the show from india...

 

[street cricketer]

Exactly. They are scoring 300 easily against Starc/Hazlewood/Cummins. Our trundlers stand no chance . A lot of PPers underestimating their own team which is surprising.

This time, I genuinely think Pakistan have a very good chance of winning. Previous times, I believed India would win barring some thing drastic happening, purely because India were always the superior team and logic dictates the superior team always has a better chance of winning.

During this time, I feel we are carrying too much dead wood in Yuvraj and Dhoni while Dhawan performing has become a bit of a special occasion nowadays. However parosis have found very good batsmen in Sharjeel and Babar. We have actually declined from our last team while Pakistan have improved on it. I personally feel this is going to be a repeat of the 2009 champions trophy match. I wouldn't be this disappointed if Pandey, Pant or some other youngster like Suryakumar Yadav or Iyer were given a good and consistent chance with the team.

Anyway I wouldn't be too disappointed if we lose this one and win the world cup tie in 2019.

 

[Drreddymd]

Pak favourites for me. India has too many over the hill players, no finisher, opener problems, bowling hit or miss.

Everything depends on one man kohli and the ability of pak players who normally choke against india in big games

 

[MenInG]

Well India has a team of match winners right now. If not kohli then jadhav, rohit or someone else might haunt you mate... You make plans for kohli and you will see someone else stealing the show from india...

The way it works is Kohli is a mental block for Pakistan. You remove him and then the odds reduce etc

 

[Pollack]

Pakistan usually does good in England. There is no streak in ct. So chance(Mauka Mauka ) is there.

 

[speedking]

sharjeel
sarfaraz
Babar
Harris
hafeez
shazib
imad
amir
Junaid
wahab
ali


this team is batter then ours unless they choke

 

[coy0607]

Nothing to do with the captain. If people cant bowl like international bowlers than Azhar is not the problem.

First get that set of top level performers then you will get a captain commensurate with their skillsets.

absolutely, a team will only go as far as the players take them

but the OP asked if Babar, Amir, Sharjeel can INSPIRE Pak to beat India, and you need actual leaders to inspire your top talent, not a guy like Azhar

 

[ali2220]

Yes they can but they won't.... Like always

Thats more in the case of playing in WC. Right now i don't even think this team can beat india.

 

[ali2220]

Exactly. They are scoring 300 easily against Starc/Hazlewood/Cummins. Our trundlers stand no chance . A lot of PPers underestimating their own team which is surprising.

Just once Pak chased a total of 240 + successfully in Aus, in the other matches, Pak might have scored 300, but were NEVER in the match.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Sharjeel
Umar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Shahzaib
Imad

this batting lineup can beat India

 

[Shafi]

Under Kohli captaincy it will almost impossible now for us.

 

[Pollack]

Sharjeel
Umar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Shahzaib
Imad

this batting lineup can beat India

Don't know if it can beat India but this batting lineup looks the best for Odi for Pakistan atleast at the moment. Harris is a decent batsman. He is nowhere to be seen in team. But how much of a slogger shahzaib is would also be important.

 

[Itachi]

Indian batting line up is very vulnerable. Just take out kohli and you'll see a target not more than 250.

Pakistan definitely has more probability of winning than India.

 

[Madplayer]

Sharjeel
Umar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Shahzaib
Amir yamin
Imad
Amir
Hasan ali
Spinner/fast bowler

this batting lineup can beat India

This should be the playing XI.

 

[Slog]

Yes they can but they won't.... Like always

What do you mean always?

India lost in 2004 and 2009 didn't they?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

This should be the playing XI.

Rate yamin highly but it sure if he's ready and CT is soon. I'd say Imad at 7 plus 4 pacers/3 pacers and 1 specialist spinner

 

[Madplayer]

Rate yamin highly but it sure if he's ready and CT is soon. I'd say Imad at 7 plus 4 pacers/3 pacers and 1 specialist spinner

I think he is ready. He is also a clean hitter of the ball. Babar and haris can chip in with 4-5 overs too now. This line up would give immense batting depth and enough bowling options.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I think he is ready. He is also a clean hitter of the ball. Babar and haris can chip in with 4-5 overs too now. This line up would give immense batting depth and enough bowling options.

True but we are talking about inzi here

 

[ExpressPacer]

No chance. I would agree with most PPers on here who say Pakistan would have a chance if Kohli gets out but the fact is Kohli is NOT getting out. A miracle is not going to happen. He thrives in pressure situation and a tournament match with Pakistan is what he waits for all year. He's like a bloody Saiyan, the more he fights, the stronger he gets.

 

[Madplayer]

No chance. I would agree with most PPers on here who say Pakistan would have a chance if Kohli gets out but the fact is Kohli is NOT getting out. A miracle is not going to happen. He thrives in pressure situation and a tournament match with Pakistan is what he waits for all year. He's like a bloody Saiyan, the more he fights, the stronger he gets.

No one is invincible. But you cant do much if you have lullooos doing the planning and tactical thinking for you.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

If Kohli gets out cheaply Pakistan is more likely to win than lose. India has been losing very regularly even at home, they are not as good in LOI as they used to be.

But of course Pak has never beaten India in tournaments, so India is always favourite

 

[Madplayer]

If Kohli gets out cheaply Pakistan is more likely to win than lose. India has been losing very regularly even at home, they are not as good in LOI as they used to be.

But of course Pak has never beaten India in tournaments, so India is always favourite

Pakistan has beaten India in CT more times than not.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Pakistan has beaten India in CT more times than not.

I mixed up WC and CT records then. Never been good with with tournaments

 

[arehaan]

Its a new day and new start so anything is possible. There are no clear favorites here and India Vs Pakistan given the history is always about overcoming the match pressure. Which ever team can absorb the pressure and perform better on the day will succeed.

 

[Ankit007]

What do you mean always?

India lost in 2004 and 2009 didn't they?

In overall ICC tournament history, Pakistan loses more. Only has a few wins.

India comes together and plays better in ICC tournaments and specially vs Pakistan.... Even in 1992, golden era of Pakistan history where you had greats like imran, wasim etc etc you lost against bowling attack of Prakhar, prasad etc.

Amir shoail did a mistake by getting clean bowled in next attempt and so on....

So as far as I know Pak is bound to make mistakes in ICC tournament and we will win AGAIN...

They always lack something either in planning or execution or talent which we thrive upon.

Hence I said they CAN but they WON'T....

 

[waleed88]

We have about as much a chance as we had of winning a game in Australia... 1/5, which is 20%

If the opposition is having a very bad day, and everything falls into place for us (we take our catches, restrict opposition to a score of around 220, then don't get bog down while chasing, and don't collapse mentally) then we might win against them

 

[moghul]

Indian team is far better at the moment in both aspects, skill wise and having a big psychological advantage, which is keep getting bigger after every Pak-India clash and defeat for Pakistan.

But after the most defensive ODI captain in Pakistan history, Misbah has already gone, and a very positive player in Sarfaraz is expected to take over, there is still a hope. But I have to agree, any win for Pakistan would be an upset.

 

[cricketerB94]

We have definitely a better team than last time. Last time we had Shehzad and Younis opening for us, Misbah was in middle order, Afridi and Wahab were coming at 7 and 8 respectively and Yasir as our main bowler.

 

[WC-Passion]

No way can we win this, our best chances to beat India was the 2011 WC and 2007 WC but we somehow managed to mess them up.

 

[adit_sh]

Pak take CT win and India with WC win

 

[GLORY OF '92]

No. Bumrah is too good for us.

Kohli will score as usual.

90% India win.

 

[English August]

No way can we win this, our best chances to beat India was the 2011 WC and 2007 WC but we somehow managed to mess them up.

India and Pak did not play against each other in 2007 WC. Both were humiliated and kicked out by lower ranked teams.

 

[English August]

If Pak makes this about "beating India", it will lose. It they make it about "doing well in the tournament", they have a good chance of beating India.

 

[Drreddymd]

This indian team is as rubbish as any indian team of 90 s with kohli and sachin swapping places. If they fail indian win depends on almighty power of indian gods and goddess.

 

[msb314]

India and Pak did not play against each other in 2007 WC. Both were humiliated and kicked out by lower ranked teams.

I am assuming he meant the 2007 World T20.

 

[PakLFC]

Of course Pak can defeat India with or without the said players. It's how the teams play on the day that matters, could be that Sarfaraz Ahmed scores a cracking 150 or Imad Wasim takes five wickets. I would much rather lose to India and win the tournament then defeat them and get knocked out in the semi's or before. India has never been a yardstick for me at anything to judge any form of success.

 

[moghul]

NO one is expecting Pak to win, so in way they Pakistan team should be under less pressure compared to the previous Pak teams.

 

[ali2220]

NO one is expecting Pak to win, so in way they Pakistan team should be under less pressure compared to the previous Pak teams.

This team simply isn't good enough to beat india in onedayer, also in the last 5-6 years, india have always been fav's yet Pakistan ended up loosing the match.

 

[Napa]

Exactly, in the last few matches Pakistan has ripped through India's famed batting but there has always been one man standing infront of us and that is Kohli. If we find a way around him then our chances of winning increase significantly.

Last ODI India and Pakistan played, other than Kohli's century, you also had Dhawan and Raina score a total of 147 from 132 balls. While Kohli's contribution is significant, the rest of the team can manage without him as they did in the recent ODI against England when Kohli scored 8 only to be followed by Dhoni and Yuvraj scoring 284 at a S/R of 115.

Be afraid, be very afraid of "India's famed batting"

 

[GrandMaster]

MSD isn't captaining. Pak should bag this easily. Sharjeel to get a 50-ball hundred and Amir to bag a 5-fer.

I agree to Amirs 5fer but Sharjeel? He is a hack, can't survive against Shami, Ashwin and Jaddu.

 

[ali2220]

I agree to Amirs 5fer but Sharjeel? He is a hack, can't survive against Shami, Ashwin and Jaddu.

Yes, the hack can play Hazelwood and Starc, but can't survive Sir Shami

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Sharjeel and Babar will but AMir wont as usual ( over rated player IMO)

 

[street cricketer]

We are having so many passengers in our team carried by a great player.

Pakistan in comparison has top ODI players in Sharjeel, Babar, Malik, Imad and Amir.

It's a battle of a team of passengers carried by a great player vs a team comprised of very good players. The latter will always win in such battles.

 

[Sadevdesai]

In a Cricket match anything can happen. Somehow though, when we play the Indians, there is some sort of a stigma that enters in our player's mind and they tend to play with fear. Sharjeel is an exception, a left handed Sehwag, so if he sticks around, things could be different!!!! Sure hope so.

 

[GrandMaster]

Yes, the hack can play Hazelwood and Starc, but can't survive Sir Shami

Yes, I agree he performed well in Australia but Australia doesn't have quality spinners and pitches were flat. Sharjeel can't survive first 4 overs in England, forget about 50 ball hundred.

 

[IamIndian]

Yes, the hack can play Hazelwood and Starc, but can't survive Sir Shami

Aus pitches are batting friendly these days... Can't see Sharjeel surviving opening spells in seaming and swinging conditions of England.

 

[Slog]

We are having so many passengers in our team carried by a great player.

Pakistan in comparison has top ODI players in Sharjeel, Babar, Malik, Imad and Amir.

It's a battle of a team of passengers carried by a great player vs a team comprised of very good players. The latter will always win in such battles.

lol.

trolling or wristslitting?

 

[street cricketer]

lol.

trolling or wristslitting?

Frustrating to see so many passengers in our LOI team.

I don't have the same interest in LOIs like I did in my teens (barring the tournaments). But it has even reduced due to our team playing so many past it players. Nowadays I only look forward to the next test series. I'm not even sure I'll watch the champions trophy with this team playing. Waiting for the tour of South Africa. Can't believe I'm become a test snob like Junaids.
Maybe Junaids was right all along.


Pakistan has a very high chance of beating India this time though in the champions trophy.