Do you think Pakistan team can replicate their Champions Trophy 2017 performance in 2019 World Cup?

[mesmerizer85]

Honestly speaking I am not so confident like the rest of PAK fans. This is bcoz WC is not falling in Ramadan, and I feel more than the teams performance it was our duas that helped us win the WC92 or as we saw CT17.
But you never know this team may spring a surprise and you all just keep praying

 

[Darkrai]

We are the current Champions of Top 8 teams. So don't lose hope.

 

[mesmerizer85]

We are the current Champions of Top 8 teams. So don't lose hope.

Forever Champions

 

[Sarwar89]

I have seen Pakistan live
Winning 92 cup reaching 99 final winning t20 cup 09, and CT 17. Plus mace 16.
Whether they win world cup now or not is not going to be a big deal.

 

[mesmerizer85]

If just they get the team combination right. Bring back Rumman/Junaid and a good middle order batsmen. The chances would increase exponentially.

 

[fluke]

40 - 60 to reach in top 4

 

[Pete Rose]

Yes

 

[Bilal7]

I was just watching extended highlights of the 2017 CT and yes, we can, InshAllah.

The team is pretty much the same, with Azhar Ali replaced by a player with the same game-plan but a much higher ceiling. A few players are out of form and they will need to get back to their best, ASAP. Plus, Afridi provides us with serious depth in the pace bowling department.

 

[xricket]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

 

[QalandarFan]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

Yeah had Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma not performed India would not have made it to the final. Obviously every team has to play well to win the WC.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Yes

 

[gazza619]

Dont think so

 

[Sin Nombre]

Pakistan has a 20% win rate in ODIs against the top 8 teams since the start of 2018 (3 wins, 12 losses).

 

[rhony]

There was no way India was chasing 340 in a pressure final. It was a bowling failure and they are a much better bowling unit now. FZ and Amir, the two stars in that game are just pale shadows of themselves now. India is on another level and I expect another one sided game in India's favor.

 

[Bilal7]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

"If Pakistan hadn"t played well, they would have lost".

 

[a_tahir]

Pakistan has a 20% win rate in ODIs against the top 8 teams since the start of 2018 (3 wins, 12 losses).

2018 was a disasterous year.
In 2019 we have more wins against the top 8 than in 2018 even though we have only played 5 matches. 2 in 2019 compared to 1 in 2018.
Pretty sure pakistan isn't going to have another 2018 type year

 

[a_tahir]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

Had pakistan not been an independant country they would have not participated in the world cup.
Ifs and Buts don't work.

 

[Hasan123]

I think it's highly unlikely. Our batting is a real concern. We aren't going to restrict every team to scores of less than 250 and not every pitch will favour the bowlers. On pure batting pitches we are going to struggle with our expected line up. That is why when bowling 1st we should just be looking for wickets and avoid bowling negatively. Our bowlers struggle when it comes to being defensive (other than Amir ) so may as well look for wickets. That's the best way to stop teams is by picking up wickets.

 

[Theo_14]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

Had Amir’s mother not given him birth, he would not have known to the world.

Had I not logged in today, I would not have replied to your post.

 

[msb314]

It will be tough and we will really have to play out of skins to reach the SF’s

We are guaranteed to lose the India/Aus games - we don’t have the mentality to win those yet.

The NZ/SAF/Eng/Bang games will be 50:50 so we really have to bring our A game to our opposition.

Should comfortably beat WI/SL and Afgh

 

[msb314]

Yes

Why? Could you provide specific reasons?

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Pakistan is a boom bust team.
CT2017 Boom
Asia Cup 2018 Bust
Do I need to say much more...

 

[Bilal7]

Pakistan is a boom bust team.
CT2017 Boom
Asia Cup 2018 Bust
Do I need to say much more...

Asian pitches do not suit the current Pakistani team. We lack truly outstanding spin bowlers (with all due respect to Shadab and Imad) and our batsmen play much better when the ball comes onto the bat nicely.

If the WC was held in Asia, I would give them no chance.

 

[Oligochaetes]

World Cup is in England. Pakistan do well in England. So yea, it is possible.

 

[CadPakFan]

[MENTION=143023]SarfiBabarHaris[/MENTION] any thoughts? After all, you predicted Pakistan champions trophy win.

 

[mesmerizer85]

I do agree English conditions suit our bowling, plus our warm up matches might also help. The only weak link is (sorry Shoaib fans) is Malik. Even in the CT final where everyone scored he got a mere 16, that also against IND, who he likes to score against

 

[Swing]

It's really hard to tell with this Pakistani team. I think we'll be making the final four easily unless a lot of players stay out of form.

 

[Syed1]

Had the bumrah not bowled a no ball, we won't have score more than 250. And had Amir not picked up few early wickets, we would have still lost in the final. So, a lot has to go right, if we are to win it

Yeah had the wind blown in from a earternly direction at a bearing of 75 degrees at 32 mph, Kohli's catch would have flown over Shadab's head. Or had the Earth's magnetic field shifted by a mere 2 degrees at the exact moment Bumrah was bowling then the rotation of the earth would have slowed just enough for him to not overstep )

 

[Syed1]

We are a confidence and form team. If everything clicks into place kisi mai ka laal nahi rokh sakta team ko. We saw in 92 WC, 09 WT20, CT17

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan has to guard themselves against lower ranked sides. Afghanistan gave them a run for their money. Same way BD has beaten them more often than not recently. Pakistan is facing West Indies at Trent Bridge. IT is sort of a lucky ground for them. Won all the matches there except one match. Last time when Pakistan played there they had absolute shellacking. England made 444 runs.Pakistan faces England also at Trent bridge.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Nope. Pakistan had fresh talent in 2017. The players who won the tourney were still unknown to most top teams. Now Pakistan has played everyone and the players got exposed. Pakistan is still a good team, might even reach Semis. But winning WC is out of question.

 

[ali2220]

Pakistan has to guard themselves against lower ranked sides. Afghanistan gave them a run for their money. Same way BD has beaten them more often than not recently. Pakistan is facing West Indies at Trent Bridge. IT is sort of a lucky ground for them. Won all the matches there except one match. Last time when Pakistan played there they had absolute shellacking. England made 444 runs.Pakistan faces England also at Trent bridge.

Eng is a top team, Pak is not likely to beat them in any case. Pak will most probably beat afghans, Bang match can go either way.If Pak plays really well then they will reach semis, if not they will be out of cup much sooner.

 

[Gullycricket]

I am not worried about losing some games initially.Just have to make it to semis by hook or crook.Then its anybody's cup.

 

[ali2220]

I am not worried about losing some games initially.Just have to make it to semis by hook or crook.Then its anybody's cup.

Its not gonna happen, Pak isn't a good enough team and WC is not like a lottery in which any team will end up lifting the cup just on the basis of luck.

 

[xricket]

"If Pakistan hadn"t played well, they would have lost".

The point is, this doesn't happen everyday for Pakistan. You can't expect anyone from this team, to perform like that against India again, as evident in Asia Cup.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I am going to tell a "bitter fact".

The ICC Champions Trophy has as little value for teams has a bilateral and that's why it's already lived its life and is now defunct.

Had Pakistan not won it, no one would be taking it seriously.

The World Cup is cherished by every team, every team fights for it, and usually World Cups have a strange tendency to go to the best team, instead of dark horses.

So while optimism is good, unless we believe that Pakistan is the favorite team for the World Cup, it is unlikely to come to our hand.

Now if someone genuinely believes Pakistan is favorite, then we can discuss this conversation further.

 

[Gullycricket]

Its not gonna happen, Pak isn't a good enough team and WC is not like a lottery in which any team will end up lifting the cup just on the basis of luck.

Honestly no team is good enough right now.Its not like 2000's where Aussies had every base covered and could bounce back from any situation.Right now India has weak middle order which is their Achilles heel,Eng is boom or bust and these are two top favorites.From semis luck will play a crucial role agree or not.Even in CT we saw Ind losing to SL and Pak...Also historically we have done well in Eng

 

[BaankeJi]

Nope. Pakistan had fresh talent in 2017. The players who won the tourney were still unknown to most top teams. Now Pakistan has played everyone and the players got exposed. Pakistan is still a good team, might even reach Semis. But winning WC is out of question.

If Pakistan reach semis, they will win WC.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

If Pakistan reach semis, they will win WC.

Like they won in 1999?

Or even most recently in 2011?

Its a myth that Pakistan is unstoppable in the semi finals and finals and its peddled by those who saw the 92 World Cup, T20 2009 and CT 2017.

92 World Cup was scripted by Imran and Pakistan had gun Afridi, Ajmal and Umar Gul in T20 2009 so they won.

CT 2017 was the only anomaly and I doubt anomalies repeat themselves.

 

[ali2220]

If Pakistan reach semis, they will win WC.

India can say the same, even Bangladesh and wi can same the same too.

 

[Stalin]

Champions trophy was a fairy tail of sorts for Pakistan and it's fans. It's once in a life time thing to happen for anyone.
Everything that could have gone right after that India thrashing have gone right for you. Don't think that's gonna be the case again in the world cup.

But you never know.

 

[ali2220]

Champions trophy was a fairy tail of sorts for Pakistan and it's fans. It's once in a life time thing to happen for anyone.
Everything that could have gone right after that India thrashing have gone right for you. Don't think that's gonna be the case again in the world cup.

But you never know.

Maybe for teenagers, for someone who has been watching cricket since 80's, CT wasn't that much of an achievement.

 

[unitedkush]

Can they? Yes

Will they? Million dollar question

CT basically consisted of 3 group stage games followed by 2 KOs where two were a reduced game, WC is a much longer format so Pakistan cannot go their ups and downs in the same tournament, they have to peak at the right time and carry that momentum forward.

Like they won in 1999?

Or even most recently in 2011?

Its a myth that Pakistan is unstoppable in the semi finals and finals and its peddled by those who saw the 92 World Cup, T20 2009 and CT 2017.

92 World Cup was scripted by Imran and Pakistan had gun Afridi, Ajmal and Umar Gul in T20 2009 so they won.

CT 2017 was the only anomaly and I doubt anomalies repeat themselves.

Once a team reaches SF, all bets are off.

Mind you, among all the optimism on here I'm not convinced Pakistan are a shoe in for SF. An interesting summer awaits.

 

[BaankeJi]

Like they won in 1999?

Or even most recently in 2011?

Its a myth that Pakistan is unstoppable in the semi finals and finals and its peddled by those who saw the 92 World Cup, T20 2009 and CT 2017.

92 World Cup was scripted by Imran and Pakistan had gun Afridi, Ajmal and Umar Gul in T20 2009 so they won.

CT 2017 was the only anomaly and I doubt anomalies repeat themselves.

Once Pakistan smell the blood, they go for the kill most ruthlessly.
I am not saying that. That's what I have heard people saying.

 

[ali2220]

Once Pakistan smell the blood, they go for the kill most ruthlessly.
I am not saying that. That's what I have heard people saying.

That used to be the case long time back in 90's, and is no longer the case now.We don't even have great bowlers, Amir is no longest the bowler he was in CT, the rest are just above average and we don't even have a specialist spinner in this team.Don't raise your hope too much, most likely we won't even reach the semis.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

If Pakistan reach semis, they will win WC.

If they reach semis. This WC is round robin format, only the best team will keep their form into elimination rounds. Given how bad Pakistan does in bilaterals against top teams, they will likely reach fatigue.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Play the same team as in 2017 final except the following automatic changes


Imam in for Azhar ali
Shaheen in for Junaid
Haris Sohail if fit in for Imad Wasim


Hafeez and Malik playing their last world cup and cant be dropped unless they have 2 really bad series against Aus and Eng, I still dont expect them to be dropped...
When these two are undroppable there should be no place for Imad and Faheem although Imad's undercutting the ball helps to reverse the ball later(which is the formula that helped them to win CT'17)

If Haris is unfit and out of form (which means only 35 runs he will score) then Imad should play ahead of him.... and play Sarfraz at no.4 instead of Hafeez

If they play faheem thinking that he is the third seamer to help them , no doubt that would definitely cost them the WC.. In CT'17 Hasan Ali is the third seamer who can bowl at 140+ kph and was the man of the series.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

If they reach semis. This WC is round robin format, only the best team will keep their form into elimination rounds. Given how bad Pakistan does in bilaterals against top teams, they will likely reach fatigue.

Yes that is another concern, fitness at really high level will be demanding in this series. In terms of fitness, Pak, SRL, Ban, Afg will be seen with more injuries from the CWCas they dont hv the fitness levels of the other 6 teams...

Fitness (mental & physical) will be play a major role in this worldcup

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I am going to tell a "bitter fact".

The ICC Champions Trophy has as little value for teams has a bilateral and that's why it's already lived its life and is now defunct.

Had Pakistan not won it, no one would be taking it seriously.

The World Cup is cherished by every team, every team fights for it, and usually World Cups have a strange tendency to go to the best team, instead of dark horses.

So while optimism is good, unless we believe that Pakistan is the favorite team for the World Cup, it is unlikely to come to our hand.

Now if someone genuinely believes Pakistan is favorite, then we can discuss this conversation further.

83 - best team by far was WI
87 - Ind vs Pak FINAL was expected but they lost the semis to Aus and Eng
92 - Pak are not the favorites either, they were also bundled out for 73 in the group games, again the new found formula reverse swing which won them CT'17 took the team to the title
96 - SRL were minnows, came out with a new found formula to play ODI cricket which is going berserk in the first 15 and ended up the best team to win the title...
99 - Pak was the favorites with the way they are going and decelerated in the SUPER SIX but then stormed into the finals but still couldnt win the title

after that it is only Aus who are favorites under Ricky for 10 years, where it was broken by Dhoni and his men in 2011

2015 was an open contest and i expect 2019 to be the same as well... Its a round robin so momentum will be broken easily , any top 6 team that peaks at the right time just like PAk in 92 will win the title is what I think but I can be wrong too..

 

[NauV]

Pakistan is most likely going to play:

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Malik
6. Sarfaraz
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir/Junaid/whoever else
11. Shaheen

Pakistan's biggest problem starts at Sarfaraz . . number 6, 7 and 8 . . aren't reliable . . although Imad batted well in SA and is a better LOI batsman than shadab, I just fear that number 7 is too high for him . . that's where Pakistan has gone wrong . . they never took this position seriously . . they needed to have developed a fast bowling all rounder who is a reliable batsman . . whether it was hussain talat or amir yameen or whoever . . they wasted all this time on Faheem Ashraf who can't bat!

I think Pak's bowling will be decent . . I am not too bothered about it . . I am worried about putting up 300+ runs on the board consistently . .

Given the dopey nature of Sarfaraz, Imad and Shadab . . that means, Pak can not be 4 down in the first 35 overs . . so unfortunately, unlike other teams . . Pak won't have the liberty to score quickly in the beginning . . would have to resort to an old-ish style of cricket:

10 overs - 50/1
20 overs - 95/2
30 overs - 155/3
35 overs - 185/4
43 overs - 240/5
50 overs - 310/8

For Pak to have any chance of going deep, these are the pre-reqs:

1. Fakhar needs to be in form . . (I'll take an average of 35 at S/R 110)
2. Babar needs to have a HUGE world cup . . not make pretty 30s and 40s . .
3. Not lose more than 4 wickets in the first 35 overs . . even if it means a RR of 5 at over number 35.

If Pak can do that, then we may have a chance at going to the semi final . .

If we go too hard at the top and end up with say 120/3 and 180/5 in 30 overs . . we will get knocked out for 260 . . we just don't have the depth to go hard from the beginning unfortuantely!

 

[Xoib]

Hopefully not. We will have to suffer Sarfraz for four more years

 

[AAli98]

The likes of nz eng sa would batter pak black & blue in a bilateral series. But come a world semi pak would get the better of them 9/10 not because of skill, theyr just serial chokers in icc events..

 

[pakistani pride]

Like they won in 1999?

Or even most recently in 2011?

Its a myth that Pakistan is unstoppable in the semi finals and finals and its peddled by those who saw the 92 World Cup, T20 2009 and CT 2017.

92 World Cup was scripted by Imran and Pakistan had gun Afridi, Ajmal and Umar Gul in T20 2009 so they won.

CT 2017 was the only anomaly and I doubt anomalies repeat themselves.

It depends how you prefer to see it. If you want to be optimistic you will think about WT20 in 2009 and the CT2017. PAK has played lots of memorable ODI games in the UK like the game vs India in 2004.

PAK do lift their game in the UK and the crowd support will be there as well.

 

[Pete Rose]

Why? Could you provide specific reasons?

I think most of the ingredients for a winning team are there. A few tactical selections and a positive attitude will take them far. Teams like Pakistan generally tend to pick up their games in tournaments. I understand my answer might sound like hope and prayer but that’s how it works.

 

[Pete Rose]

Pakistan is most likely going to play:

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Malik
6. Sarfaraz
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir/Junaid/whoever else
11. Shaheen

Pakistan's biggest problem starts at Sarfaraz . . number 6, 7 and 8 . . aren't reliable . . although Imad batted well in SA and is a better LOI batsman than shadab, I just fear that number 7 is too high for him . . that's where Pakistan has gone wrong . . they never took this position seriously . . they needed to have developed a fast bowling all rounder who is a reliable batsman . . whether it was hussain talat or amir yameen or whoever . . they wasted all this time on Faheem Ashraf who can't bat!

I think Pak's bowling will be decent . . I am not too bothered about it . . I am worried about putting up 300+ runs on the board consistently . .

Given the dopey nature of Sarfaraz, Imad and Shadab . . that means, Pak can not be 4 down in the first 35 overs . . so unfortunately, unlike other teams . . Pak won't have the liberty to score quickly in the beginning . . would have to resort to an old-ish style of cricket:

10 overs - 50/1
20 overs - 95/2
30 overs - 155/3
35 overs - 185/4
43 overs - 240/5
50 overs - 310/8

For Pak to have any chance of going deep, these are the pre-reqs:

1. Fakhar needs to be in form . . (I'll take an average of 35 at S/R 110)
2. Babar needs to have a HUGE world cup . . not make pretty 30s and 40s . .
3. Not lose more than 4 wickets in the first 35 overs . . even if it means a RR of 5 at over number 35.

If Pak can do that, then we may have a chance at going to the semi final . .

If we go too hard at the top and end up with say 120/3 and 180/5 in 30 overs . . we will get knocked out for 260 . . we just don't have the depth to go hard from the beginning unfortuantely!

Pakistan’s mistake starts are having Sarfaraz Malik and hafeez playing in the same team. That’s a handicap that no team can recover from. As for batting order or rubbing rate, Sarfaraz has to bat ahead of Malik and hafeez at 4 any time between overs 15 to 35. If third wicket is lost after 35 overs, he should demote himself to accommodate the batsman who can strike (hafeez, imad, Shadab or whoever)

 

[ARK Rafay]

I want to mention one thing. Even though at slow S/R Imam Ul Haq has been consistently scoring runs. So it's 1st time in a long time in top 3 you can expect any of them to score a 100 on their day. So if they are able to score 275+ and the bowling we have. You never know what could happen. But I take Imam as positive player now

 

[ARK Rafay]

Pakistan’s mistake starts are having Sarfaraz Malik and hafeez playing in the same team. That’s a handicap that no team can recover from. As for batting order or rubbing rate, Sarfaraz has to bat ahead of Malik and hafeez at 4 any time between overs 15 to 35. If third wicket is lost after 35 overs, he should demote himself to accommodate the batsman who can strike (hafeez, imad, Shadab or whoever)

Agree. What I would want is:

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Haris (If he's fit)
5. Sarfraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Shaheen

Now with Hafeez, Imad, Shadab and Hasan in the lower order. it is now looking a lot more promising and if Haris plays in place of Malik you could expect a lot more runs from your no. 4

 

[Pete Rose]

Agree. What I would want is:

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Haris (If he's fit)
5. Sarfraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Shaheen

Now with Hafeez, Imad, Shadab and Hasan in the lower order. it is now looking a lot more promising and if Haris plays in place of Malik you could expect a lot more runs from your no. 4

i suppose time will tell if haris is fit enough...or will be using most the next 10 odi's to make shan masood a permanent fixture in his place.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Shan
Haris
Rizwan/Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen
Aamir

This could be the strongest lineup Pak have fielded in a world cup since 1999. Good signs.

 

[Saj]

Tough ask:

Positives since the CT17 tournament are:

Shaheen Shah Afridi
Fielding is even better
Imam could be useful in England
Babar Azam's superb displays

Negatives

The batting seems to have declined even more
Fakhar Zaman's poor form

 

[a_tahir]

Tough ask:

Positives since the CT17 tournament are:

Shaheen Shah Afridi
Fielding is even better
Imam could be useful in England
Babar Azam's superb displays

Negatives

The batting seems to have declined even more
Fakhar Zaman's poor form

Don't think the batting has declined to be honest. We nearly lost the match against sri lanka and were all out for 160 or something against india in the first match.

 

[a_tahir]

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Shan
Haris
Rizwan/Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen
Aamir

This could be the strongest lineup Pak have fielded in a world cup since 1999. Good signs.

You're forgetting that malik is gonna be there unless he gets injured

 

[Syed1]

Guys batting doesn't seem to be any issue. It is the misfiring bowling.

Perhaps kids now are used to mediocrity, while I was growing up in the era of Wasim, Waqar if Pakistan scored more than 260-270 odd victory was pretty much guaranteed (granted scores were lower in that era). Now the batsmen scored 317 and SA won on duckworth lewis by 8 wickets, what the heck.

 

[Saj]

The biggest question is can this team put a run of 5 or 6 wins in a row at the World Cup.

 

[WC-Passion]

Hopefully not. We will have to suffer Sarfraz for four more years

Uh, why would you say no to winning a World Cup over disliking one player? That's insanity to me.

 

[silent ischemia]

It will be tough and we will really have to play out of skins to reach the SF’s

We are guaranteed to lose the India/Aus games - we don’t have the mentality to win those yet.

The NZ/SAF/Eng/Bang games will be 50:50 so we really have to bring our A game to our opposition.

Should comfortably beat WI/SL and Afgh

WI have some good match winners who can really turn it on ...

 

[The Viper]

The Champions trophy really suited the team. The format meant you only had to be at your top for 4 games or so. I doubt Pak can win 5 or 6 in a row. Also the bowling is not the same. No more Hasan Ali who picked up wickets in the middle overs. It would be a miracle really if Pakistan wins the world cup because at this stage it looks impossible.

 

[rhony]

I want to mention one thing. Even though at slow S/R Imam Ul Haq has been consistently scoring runs. So it's 1st time in a long time in top 3 you can expect any of them to score a 100 on their day. So if they are able to score 275+ and the bowling we have. You never know what could happen. But I take Imam as positive player now

The slow over rate is overblown. In victories while chasing, how does SR matter? Since Jan 1 2018, Imam has consumed 19.6 percent of the total team deliveries and scored 19.3 percent of the runs. That's almost inline with most top order batsmen in the world.