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In this exclusive PakPassion interview, former Pakistan T20 World Cup winner Sohail Tanvir provides a detailed breakdown of Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With vast experience playing in leagues worldwide, Tanvir analyzes the team's strengths, the conditions in Sri Lanka, and the tough selection calls made by the selectors.
Key revelations include:
• On Pakistan's Bowling: "I think bowling-wise we are very good... but the balance is a concern." - With the tournament being held in the subcontinent, Tanvir praises the selection of a spin-heavy attack, highlighting Mohammad Nawaz's exceptional form over the last six months.
He expresses high confidence in Salman Irshad, describing him as a much-improved bowler who is effective with both the new ball and at the death
• The X-Factor Question: "Who's going to hit 50 runs off 20 balls for Pakistan?" - He highlighted the key concern in the batting lineup. Tanvir believes unorthodox spinner Usman Tariq will be a key player for Pakistan. He notes that while players may have seen him on TV, facing his unique style in person is a different challenge.
• On Babar Azam's Role: "Babar can play his anchor game... score 50 off 35 balls." - Discussing Babar Azam’s recent struggles in the Big Bash League, Tanvir argues that while Babar lacks the raw power for fast Australian tracks, his "anchor" style is perfectly suited for the slower, lower-bouncing pitches in Sri Lankalaining how conditions suit the batter’s style.
• On Haris Rauf's Omission: "Not having Haris Rauf in Sri Lanka makes sense to me." - He supports the decision to omit Haris Rauf for this specific tournament, explaining that raw pace can often become an advantage for batters on slow pitches, making Rauf more vulnerable than in Australia.
• Praise for Naseem Shah: "Naseem Shah has grown up mentally. You can see the maturity." - With Rauf absent, Tanvir notes a potential concern regarding who will take over the death-over responsibilities, though he hopes Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah can adapt.
• The Final Verdict: "We are unpredictable in both ways. We can do so well and we can do so bad." - Tanvir identifies India, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand as the strongest candidates to win the trophy.
Despite not being labeled as favorites by many, he warns that Pakistan’s inherent unpredictability means they can beat any team on their day and should never be ruled out.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
Key revelations include:
• On Pakistan's Bowling: "I think bowling-wise we are very good... but the balance is a concern." - With the tournament being held in the subcontinent, Tanvir praises the selection of a spin-heavy attack, highlighting Mohammad Nawaz's exceptional form over the last six months.
He expresses high confidence in Salman Irshad, describing him as a much-improved bowler who is effective with both the new ball and at the death
• The X-Factor Question: "Who's going to hit 50 runs off 20 balls for Pakistan?" - He highlighted the key concern in the batting lineup. Tanvir believes unorthodox spinner Usman Tariq will be a key player for Pakistan. He notes that while players may have seen him on TV, facing his unique style in person is a different challenge.
• On Babar Azam's Role: "Babar can play his anchor game... score 50 off 35 balls." - Discussing Babar Azam’s recent struggles in the Big Bash League, Tanvir argues that while Babar lacks the raw power for fast Australian tracks, his "anchor" style is perfectly suited for the slower, lower-bouncing pitches in Sri Lankalaining how conditions suit the batter’s style.
• On Haris Rauf's Omission: "Not having Haris Rauf in Sri Lanka makes sense to me." - He supports the decision to omit Haris Rauf for this specific tournament, explaining that raw pace can often become an advantage for batters on slow pitches, making Rauf more vulnerable than in Australia.
• Praise for Naseem Shah: "Naseem Shah has grown up mentally. You can see the maturity." - With Rauf absent, Tanvir notes a potential concern regarding who will take over the death-over responsibilities, though he hopes Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah can adapt.
• The Final Verdict: "We are unpredictable in both ways. We can do so well and we can do so bad." - Tanvir identifies India, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand as the strongest candidates to win the trophy.
Despite not being labeled as favorites by many, he warns that Pakistan’s inherent unpredictability means they can beat any team on their day and should never be ruled out.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
