How will Pakistan handle the tag of the favourites in the rest of the tournament?

[Savak]

Will the Pakistani team and players relax, chill for the rest of the tournament?

I hope not. They still have to beat the other teams to reach the final. But it's easy for them to feel they have achieved everything by beating India finally on the big stage

 

[Varun]

This India game was just a trailer.

The real pummeling will be given to New Zealand after what they did, and to England if and when they meet them in the tournament.

The UAE is home turf.

 

[Abdurmirr]

Need to make sure that we remain clinical throughout the tournament,

Great win and should celebrate tonight, however we need to keep focus on topping the group.

Hopefully this will be our first actual tournament we win without having that unpredictable label thrown on us

 

[street cricketer]

They were already one of the favourites coming into the tournament and after this strong showing against their arch rivals, they would be strong favourites to win the tournament in many pundits' eyes.

Will the tag of the favourites affect the performance of the Pakistani cricket team?

Or will they produce an inspired performance throughout the tournament to win the world cup?

 

[IAJ]

Pundits know Pakistan cricket all too well. Yes, we were outstanding today, but we can be complete opposite come next game. Let’s just take one game at time. Hopefully they will rest Shaheen Afridi against some weaker teams so every player can get a match under his belt.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I think their are too few countries that play cricket for the favorites tag to have that much relevance, especially in T-20.

Hopefully the team does not celebrate the India win (leave that to the fans) and stays focused and takes a one game at a time approach. I am especially concerned about the games against the minnows. Pakistan has a good chance now to qualify for the Semis, and possibly even top the group, so they should make sure to take every game seriously.

 

[shariqnoor]

Pakistan now just needs to beat Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia and they are in the semifinals. Good NRR today.

 

[Ab Fan]

At the moment, their focus would be on taking the revenge back from New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Arden, by crushing her team two days later and gaining an empathic win.

This is big time for Pakistan to settle scores vs Kiwis.

 

[Saj]

Favourites coming into the tournament? Since when?

 

[TheInaudibleParadox]

They are not favourites at all. But if you saw their attitude today, pre-, during-, and post-game then you know the team is very determined. They mean business. IA they will win the trophy.

 

[Cric1234]

We are definitely more suited to UAE than some teams but still not favourites a long way to go yet they should keep their feet on the ground a few losses then the typical stuff will be said again.

 

[street cricketer]

Favourites coming into the tournament? Since when?

Anyone would place India, England and Pakistan as the three big favourites coming into the tournament.

 

[Cric1234]

Anyone would place India, England and Pakistan as the three big favourites coming into the tournament.

One match doesn’t make us favourites on paper Australia India England had better teams than us we weren’t tested today below par total not losing a wicket plus dew factor everything went perfectly it won’t be like that in future games.
Our middle order is likely to be exposed then we will see how good we really are.

 

[Jeetlodil]

Easy my friend. Not favorites. The middle order is untested. contenders may be.

 

[Saj]

Anyone would place India, England and Pakistan as the three big favourites coming into the tournament.

No chance.

Nobody mentioned Pakistan amongst the favourites ahead of this tounament.

Even now, they aren't amongst the favourites.

 

[Runner Up]

Babar Azam has given the answer. Watch this video

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The captain and head coach address the players after Pakistan's historic win over India. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeHaveWeWill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeHaveWeWill</a> <a href="https://t.co/Laww5iTMzX">pic.twitter.com/Laww5iTMzX</a></p>— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1452353057212223491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[TeymurBlake]

Even before the game against India, the New Zealand game was bigger. There a good side, a strong side but in the UAE Pakistan should be able to beat them. Out of India, New Zealand and Afghanistan, you can only lose to one of them and still make it through the group stages including beating Scotland and Namibia.

With India out of the way, the focus must be on New Zealand. Defeating them will show, the India victory was not a fluke and Pakistan are genuine favourites for the cup.

 

[topspin]

Babar Azam has given the answer. Watch this video

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The captain and head coach address the players after Pakistan's historic win over India. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeHaveWeWill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeHaveWeWill</a> <a href="https://t.co/Laww5iTMzX">pic.twitter.com/Laww5iTMzX</a></p>— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1452353057212223491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well said Babar.

 

[Jeetlodil]

The middle order is untested and doesnt give confidence. How is Pakistan even a favorite. Strong contender yes but favorites are still England and India

 

[castortroy]

Would rather have played new Zealand in Dubai than Sharjah

 

[Firebat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a statement Pakistan just made in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCT20WorldCup2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICCT20WorldCup2021</a> Now favourites in my opinion after that emphatic win over India. Just a super all round & impressive performance. Babar Azam continues to enhance his reputation as one of the best batters in the world in all forms !!</p>— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1452329809447694336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Cric1234]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a statement Pakistan just made in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCT20WorldCup2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICCT20WorldCup2021</a> Now favourites in my opinion after that emphatic win over India. Just a super all round & impressive performance. Babar Azam continues to enhance his reputation as one of the best batters in the world in all forms !!</p>— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1452329809447694336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Typically ex players and commentators only see the result not the teams potential weakness high scoring matches chasing 190 200 and when we are 40-3 will tell us how good we really are then you will see negativity a plenty instead of positivity fickle game this.

 

[shamaan]

No chance.

Nobody mentioned Pakistan amongst the favourites ahead of this tounament.

Even now, they aren't amongst the favourites.

Some commentators have mentioned Pakistan as one of the 3 favourites to win it

 

[Bewal Express]

We are no where near favourites, we had a small chance before yesterday, after yesterday we have a better chance. The big change is that we know we have the beating of the best teams.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Pakistan's biggest weakness always has been middle order batting. That wasn't even tested yesterday so I don't think we are favourites.
The way England thrashed WI with their brilliant spinners (better than Pakistans spinners IMO) they are the favourites atm although their batting is weak in these conditions.
India can easily bounce back and they will most likely beat NZ and qualify for the semis. As we saw in CT17 once you get to the semis anything can happen.

My biggest fear is a repeat of CT17 the other way round now...
Imagine India vs Pakistan final and India win. Would be too much heartbreak after yesterday.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The game tomorrow is important. Proper bowling combinations and team selection is needed.

Though he bowled well, I think one change we should consider is swapping Imad Wasim with Mohammad Nawaz.

Against NZ, a good left-arm spinner might be of use, and Nawaz is also a gun fielder.

Sharjah could be a low-bounce wicket, and bowlers who can spin the ball are desirable.

 

[shamaan]

The game tomorrow is important. Proper bowling combinations and team selection is needed.

Though he bowled well, I think one change we should consider is swapping Imad Wasim with Mohammad Nawaz.

Against NZ, a good left-arm spinner might be of use, and Nawaz is also a gun fielder.

Sharjah could be a low-bounce wicket, and bowlers who can spin the ball are desirable.

I would play Imad as he can bat and keep it tight if he does concede runs then hafeez and bowl a couple of overs.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I would play Imad as he can bat and keep it tight if he does concede runs then hafeez and bowl a couple of overs.

Will Imad give us the wickets we need though?

Or are Hafeez/Shadab our wicket-taking spinners, whereas Imad plays to keep things tight?

 

[Savak]

My biggest fear is how will Pakistani bowlers cope bowling in the second innings with a wet dew ball. They have already lost one of the warm up games bowling second where dew hindered them badly. Need to practice hard bowling with a wet ball.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Afghanistan nor Kiwis are a walkover

 

[street cricketer]

Two dominant performances in their first two games against the difficult oppositions of their group and now it's just the minnows left.

Is Pakistan planning to win the world cup undefeated or what!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Despite todays win quite a few issues need to be ironed out.

Babars slow starts - eventually this will cost pakistan a game.

Fakhar/imads battinh both left handers looked clueless and both their inns put pakistan on back foot.

Hasan Ali has been poor with the ball in both games so far in this world cup.

 

[Uzi]

Despite todays win quite a few issues need to be ironed out.

Babars slow starts - eventually this will cost pakistan a game.

Fakhar/imads battinh both left handers looked clueless and both their inns put pakistan on back foot.

Hasan Ali has been poor with the ball in both games so far in this world cup.

Imad needs to put that silly reverse hit type shot away as he can't play it. I think he attempted it 3 or 4 times and failed each time.

Hassan Ali has been ordinary with the ball thus far which is a worry. He seems to be heading back to how he was post the CT17 win. Hopefully he gets back some form for the remaining group games (assuming he isn't dropped).

 

[BakuGM]

Two dominant performances in their first two games against the difficult oppositions of their group and now it's just the minnows left.

Is Pakistan planning to win the world cup undefeated or what!

We learned more about Pakistani team in this win vs the first game. First game was all adrenaline but this game they faced adversity and handled it with maturity, a sign of a good team.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Imad needs to put that silly reverse hit type shot away as he can't play it. I think he attempted it 3 or 4 times and failed each time.

Hassan Ali has been ordinary with the ball thus far which is a worry. He seems to be heading back to how he was post the CT17 win. Hopefully he gets back some form for the remaining group games (assuming he isn't dropped).

I missed the NZ innings. How was Hasan Ali's pace? Heard someone said he was bowling at less than 130 KPH avg. This suggests there could be an injury however it might be slower balls. Not sure.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

I hope not. They still have to beat the other teams to reach the final. But it's easy for them to feel they have achieved everything by beating India finally on the big stage

Who gave Pakistan this Tag? Pakistan is Not the favourites plus this is T20 (you can't really be the only favourite)

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

We are in uncharted territory. But if there is one thing that gives me a lot of confidence, its Pakistan's assurity in UAE.

Because we have now consecutively won 13 T20Is in UAE. Our last here was almost six years ago!

That's quite incredible. And I doubt any other team in the world has that kind of record in T20Is at home, let alone in a neutral country.

 

[pakistani pride]

There is no faveroute. Perhaps 6 teams can win from here.

It will come down to the semis and having 2 good days, pressure will always play a role as well.

 

[Bewal Express]

Unless there is a monumental cock up, we are in the SF and that means either one of England, SA or Australia. We will give any of these teams a good game

 

[Suleiman]

3 words: Home Field Advantage.

That whole decade we toiled in the middle of the desert away from home playing on the most awful, forsaken, dead paced wickets will now pay us back in dividends. We are more in tune with these pathetic conditions than the other teams.

That’s a fantastic thing ofc. Every other country enjoys conditions suited for them at some point in time for a major tournament, only natural we have our own turn.

 

[street cricketer]

3 words: Home Field Advantage.

That whole decade we toiled in the middle of the desert away from home playing on the most awful, forsaken, dead paced wickets will now pay us back in dividends. We are more in tune with these pathetic conditions than the other teams.

That’s a fantastic thing ofc. Every other country enjoys conditions suited for them at some point in time for a major tournament, only natural we have our own turn.

This was funny to read

 

[shamaan]

Will Imad give us the wickets we need though?

Or are Hafeez/Shadab our wicket-taking spinners, whereas Imad plays to keep things tight?

He doesn't need to take wickets his job is to keep it tight.

Shadab is an attacking bowler and should be used in that way.

 

[Robert]

At the moment, their focus would be on taking the revenge back from New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Arden, by crushing her team two days later and gaining an empathic win.

This is big time for Pakistan to settle scores vs Kiwis.

I think Ardern has more important things to worry about than a silly T20 tournament.

 

[UzmanBeast]

He doesn't need to take wickets his job is to keep it tight.

Shadab is an attacking bowler and should be used in that way.

Shadab's bowling form is a concern as well, but he's bowling well so we can ignore it for now.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I think Ardern has more important things to worry about than a silly T20 tournament.

What, governing a population of 10 people and being hailed as a hero for her actions on restricting COVID *

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan are now favorites to win this trophy along with England.

I think arrogance can make them lose. Just be humble and focused.

 

[nam]

I think with more than a billion people watching it does matter a little bit whether you agree or not. When you are a leader, you are responsible for "everything" that happens under your watch. She was probably consulted and involved in the decision making process specially after taking call from Imran Khan - Pakistan Prime minister.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I think the Afghanistan game will show Pakistan, how the batters will fare against wicket-taking, game changing spinners in a bigger ground to Sharjah. Pakistan pacers must be accurate and smart with there variations.

Afghan batters are good against spin but pace, not so much. So they need to take wickets.

 

[mastimasti]

I hope not. They still have to beat the other teams to reach the final. But it's easy for them to feel they have achieved everything by beating India finally on the big stage

I saw a fair few opinions that Pakistan were one of the favourites in this tournament in before the India game, the big one being the discussion on Fox Australia that had the following three favourites: Aus, India and Pakistan. Many of the commentators in the tournament also listed them as pre tournament favourites. So this is not an unusual tag for them.

 

[Rudi hater]

Pakistan is not favourite but one of the teams that could win. There are some good sides out there. T20 depends on the day if you have a good day you win and if bad you lose. I do hope though if Pakistan wins.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Pak are fav... they were in the top4 to begin with ...
now top 2

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistan's biggest weakness always has been middle order batting. That wasn't even tested yesterday so I don't think we are favourites.
The way England thrashed WI with their brilliant spinners (better than Pakistans spinners IMO) they are the favourites atm although their batting is weak in these conditions.
India can easily bounce back and they will most likely beat NZ and qualify for the semis. As we saw in CT17 once you get to the semis anything can happen.

My biggest fear is a repeat of CT17 the other way round now...
Imagine India vs Pakistan final and India win. Would be too much heartbreak after yesterday.

Yep, Pakistan is a team to be feared rather than favourites for that reason I bolded. Still only two real class batsmen who are opening, with a few hit and miss middle order batsmen. But Pak bat a long way down which means they are always capable of putting on a total, and that bowling is enough to make anyone worry about facing them in a knockout stage.