"Pakistan will be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup" : Nasser Hussain

[Abdullah719]

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, former England captain Nasser Hussain spoke on a variety of topics including the importance of India-Pakistan games in the World Cup, Pakistan's chances of repeating their success of the 2017 Champions Trophy in the upcoming World Cup, Mohammad Amir's recent form in ODI cricket, the importance of the young batsmen in the Pakistan team, looked forward to watching Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain in action and offered his views on the Mickey Arthur-Sarfaraz Ahmed partnership.

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/SEy9q8S.png" width="750">​

PakPassion.net: Describe what an India versus Pakistan cricket match means to you?

Nasser Hussain: I am working on the India versus Pakistan World Cup game and it was one of the first games I looked to see what am I doing, where I will be on that day and whether I have been given that game to work on. Wherever it is around the world, whatever stage of the tournament, whether it's in the group stages or knockout stages you know there are a hell of a lot of people not only watching it but are glued to it and any mistake or piece of brilliance is analysed to the nth degree. It is simply one of the biggest occasions in world sport, let alone world cricket. India will be looking for a bit of payback after the Champions Trophy Final defeat to Pakistan and in general in ICC tournaments India have the wood on Pakistan, but as we saw in that Champions Trophy Final if Pakistan get it right on the day, they can beat anyone.


PakPassion.net: Can Pakistan repeat their achievements of the Champions Trophy 2 years ago?

Nasser Hussain: How long have you followed Pakistan cricket, you know what they are all about. Many Pakistani fans will say they have followed their team for too long and had their hearts broken many times, but I love them, and I love their cricket. I love them because they are mercurial Pakistan and you wonder which Pakistan will turn up on the day. I turned up for that Champions Trophy match at Edgbaston against India two years ago and Pakistan were awful, they were terrible, and everyone just presumed that they'd be knocked out of that tournament and nobody would hear from them for a while. But then they turned up and hammered England and hammered India in the final, that is Pakistan cricket for you at its best and that's why they are so watchable. The fact is that you cannot write off Pakistan for this World Cup.


PakPassion.net: What are the key aspects of the Champions Trophy 2017 win that Pakistan should look to repeat in this World Cup tournament?

Nasser Hussain: Mickey Arthur and Sarfaraz Ahmed must get across to their team that the template to win the World Cup is not the one from the Champions Trophy. If things don't go well at the start of the tournament or in warm-ups and they aren't playing great cricket don't just presume that we will turn it around, you've got to make sure you turn it around and don't just live-off the fact that this is Pakistan cricket and we will be alright. It doesn't always work out like that.


PakPassion.net: What do you feel are Pakistan's strengths this time around?

Nasser Hussain: One thing that you know about any Pakistan team and whoever they pick is that they will have bowlers who will win you games and in modern One-day cricket you need bowlers that will take wickets and put a stop to the run-rate. Nowadays the only way to stop the run-rate as Brendon McCullum worked-out in the last World Cup was to take wickets and that's why he had that big slip cordon for Tim Southee and Trent Boult. You have to take wickets otherwise batsmen with wickets in hand will score at 10 runs an over for the last 25 overs. Pakistan have a bowling attack that will always take wickets and they are very good in ICC tournaments. They play good tournament cricket and they don't freeze. They will be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup.


PakPassion.net: Only 5 wickets in his last 14 One-day internationals and now having to fight for a place in the World Cup squad. What do you make of Mohammad Amir's recent form in One-day internationals?

Nasser Hussain: Obviously there has been a lot of disappointment from Pakistan fans regarding Mohammad Amir and I am sure that for such a high-quality bowler Amir himself is disappointed in these statistics and his output. It seems that the white ball isn't swinging as much for him these days. When I recall Mohammad Amir at his best, he was bowling those big booming inswingers and then the one going across the batsman became a threat. When the ball hasn't swung for him, what is his plan B? There's been a drop-off in pace from Mohammad Amir, and perhaps it's a confidence thing. But having said all of this, I see him as a big-match player and one only has to think back to how he bowled in the Champions Trophy final and the players he got out. There is no doubt that he gets great players out when he is on-song. It doesn't matter who you are, with his recent statistics, nobody has a God-given right to be on the team sheet day-in, day-out and you have to perform. Like I said, Pakistan will always have top-quality pace-bowlers so competition for places will be intense. I think they have done the right thing with Mohammad Amir, go to England, play in the 5-match series against England, the door is not closed on you and we will pick from that 17-man squad and let's see if you can get back to your best. We want you to do well, but you have to make sure you put in the performances in those 5 ODIs against England to play in the World Cup.


PakPassion.net: How vital will Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik be for Pakistan at the World Cup?

Nasser Hussain: They will be vital but Pakistan in general have to find a way of getting a score. When I see Pakistan and I see a batting line-up that can get them to around 280, then with their bowling line-up I think they are in the game. What they need and what Mickey Arthur will want is a batting line-up that can keep them in the game and not just have the wheels fall of. Hafeez and Malik with their experience have to work out what is a good score for their bowling line-up and conditions. Yes, they will be important but sometimes in Asian teams they rely too much on and focus too much on the senior players. Instead, what you should be looking at actually as a batting line-up are the players who are going to deliver regular scores and take the team up to scores of 300 or more.


PakPassion.net: Who do you see as the key batsmen for Pakistan at the World Cup?

Nasser Hussain: I look at Babar Azam and see him as the batsman in the Pakistan batting line-up who can take his side to the 300 mark. I also look at Fakhar Zaman and recall what he did at the Champions Trophy and in fact it is these guys that I look at as the ones who can take Pakistan from a competitive score to a good score. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik can take Pakistan to a certain score but actually I am always on the lookout for star names that can put in stellar performances and make you sit back and go wow, this lad can play. If Pakistan can get one or two of their star younger players doing a Virat Kohli or being like a Jos Buttler or doing a Kane Williamson or a David Warner, then that's when Pakistan will be right in the tournament. So, it's the younger Pakistani batsmen that I am looking out for at this World Cup.


PakPassion.net: Are you looking forward to watching Pakistan's teenage pace duo of Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi?

Nasser Hussain: Absolutely. This is what Pakistan have always done from when Imran Khan picked Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis all those years ago. Pakistan always produces these players and the moment they play it's like wow these lads have got something about them. This is what Pakistan do, they play them, they pick them, and they give them a chance. It doesn't matter how old they are, it's all about whether they are good enough. They don't worry about their age or their lack of experience, they pick them and play them and as Michael Holding always says, facing pace does funny things to any batsman. If you have a bit of pace coming at you, you can do some silly things as a batsman. If you can clock 90mph as Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi can then that is the sort of wicket-taking potential that will win this World Cup.


PakPassion.net: What in your opinion will be the key factor for any team to win this year's World Cup?

Nasser Hussain: I think it will be a high-scoring World Cup and the team with the best bowling attack and who has wicket-taking bowlers and potential throughout the 50 overs so that there is no period where the game is drifting along in the field will win the World Cup. If Sarfaraz Ahmed can throw the ball to his young-guns and say give me 3 overs and we need to get Jos Buttler out, or get Kohli for me, we need to get MS Dhoni or dismiss Steve Smith or Kane Williamson, it doesn't matter how many runs you go for, just get me a wicket, that will be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup game. The days of just sitting-in with line and length bowlers trying to bowl some dots and boring out the opposition have gone and you have to blast the opposition out nowadays. There will be days when, as England will find out with Jofra Archer when these wicket-taking bowlers will bowl 10 overs for 80 runs and you will wonder what all the fuss is about and have we picked them too early, but there will also be days when you think crickey, this lad has got something about him and is exactly what we need.


PakPassion.net: What do you make of the duo of Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and the Head Coach Mickey Arthur?

Nasser Hussain: I really like Sarfaraz Ahmed and I like the Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur combination. Mickey has worn his heart on his sleeve and with me working on television I know that any time something emotional is happening on the field or some event is happening in Pakistan cricket during a match I have a producer in my ear saying get the camera on Mickey Arthur for his reaction. Pakistan is a very emotional, cricket-loving nation and what Pakistan need is a street-fighter-type in charge of the team and I mean that in the nicest of ways and Sarfaraz Ahmed is that street-fighter and someone that I would definitely want to go to battle alongside against any opponent. Yes, Sarfaraz Ahmed has made his mistakes and had his misdemeanours and had his critics but I think Sarfaraz Ahmed has got something about him. He could easily have walked away and just been a player, but he has got something about him and in the heat of battle he will not bottle anything. I don't see Sarfaraz Ahmed as a bottler, I see him as a real fighter and the Pakistan fans that I know and have known over the years they want their team to fight, and with Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur you get that fighting spirit in abundance.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Even Nasser's calling Malik and Hafeez out. What more proof does the PCB need?

 

[Mueez]

I’ve read this interview with Nasser Hussain’s voice.

Surely he is the best commentator right now in the scene.

On par with ‘Bumble’.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pakistan is a very emotional, cricket-loving nation and what Pakistan need is a street-fighter-type in charge of the team and I mean that in the nicest of ways and Sarfaraz Ahmed is that street-fighter and someone that I would definitely want to go to battle alongside against any opponent. Yes, Sarfaraz Ahmed has made his mistakes and had his misdemeanours and had his critics but I think Sarfaraz Ahmed has got something about him. He could easily have walked away and just been a player, but he has got something about him and in the heat of battle he will not bottle anything. I don't see Sarfaraz Ahmed as a bottler, I see him as a real fighter and the Pakistan fans that I know and have known over the years they want their team to fight

Woww stole my words. Really hope Sarfraz picks up form in the WC.

 

[MenInG]

Comments on Hafeez/Malik are brutal but spot on, am afraid.

 

[QuickCrick]

He is spot on - Batsmen win you matches, Bowlers win your tournaments. I am pretty confident scores of around 280 will be match winning if you have wicket taking bowlers. Everyone is going overboard with this notion of SR, if we can bowl the opposition out then SR doesn’t matter.

It’s probably too late for MA to change his thinking and bowling combination but I really think they need to go back to what we are renowned for and that is wicket taking pacers. We need 3 out and out pacers with Faheem being the 4th if conditions require it.

SA and MA should look at our strength and pick the team starting from number 11; it’s our bowlers that will us the the tournament so we need to pick our best.

This is the combination I would go for...

3 out of the following 5 is a must, ideally Amir regains his form and gets himself in the squad for the WC. They are all capable of being match winners and to stand a chance we need them to stand up take responsibility of taking the bulk of the wickets.

Shaheen
Amir/Junaid/Hasnain
Hassan Ali

The “allrounders” are vital both in containing and getting us to Par scores - I’d pick Faheem as he gives an extra pace option and with Haris/Fakhar in the team we don’t really need more than 2 spin AR’s so any 2 from Imad, Shadab and Hafeez.

Faheem
Imad/Shadab/Hafeez(needs to bowl to get in)
Imad/Shadab/Hafeez(needs to bowl to get in)

These 5 need to get us to somewhere around 200-4 around 37 over mark with one scoring big and sticking around till the final few overs

Sarfraz
Haris
Babar
Imam/Ibad
Fakher

 

[MenInG]

Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain has analysed Pakistan's chances for success in this summer's Cricket World Cup in England & Wales, and he's not ruling them out of a potential triumph.

Hussain, who played 96 Tests and 88 ODIs for England, described Pakistan as a 'mercurial' outfit, before tipping some of the young stars to be the catalyst for a strong tournament. "Many Pakistani fans will say they have followed their team for too long and had their hearts broken many times, but I love them, and I love their cricket," he said to PakPassion.net

"I love them because they are mercurial Pakistan and you wonder which Pakistan will turn up on the day. The fact is that you cannot write off Pakistan for this World Cup."

Youthful pace duo Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi, both 19, came in for praise, while prized batsman Babar Azam was also singled out alongside left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman.

"Pakistan always produces these players," Hussain said. "And the moment they play it's like, 'Wow these lads have got something about them.' This is what Pakistan do, they play them, they pick them, and they give them a chance. It doesn't matter how old they are, it's all about whether they are good enough.

"If you can clock 90mph as Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi can, then that is the sort of wicket-taking potential that will win this World Cup.

"I think it will be a high-scoring World Cup. If Sarfaraz Ahmed can throw the ball to his young guns and say, 'Give me three overs and we need to get Jos Buttler out'. Or 'Get (Virat) Kohli for me', 'We need to get MS Dhoni' or 'Dismiss Steve Smith or Kane Williamson, it doesn't matter how many runs you go for, just get me a wicket,' that will be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup game."

Hussain cited Fakhar's match-winning century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India as evidence of what this Pakistan batting line-up can achieve, before explaining why it is the young batters that hold the key to winning games this summer. "I look at Fakhar Zaman and recall what he did at the Champions Trophy and in fact it is these guys that I look at as the ones who can take Pakistan from a competitive score to a good score," said Hussain.

"I look at Babar Azam and see him as the batsman in the Pakistan batting line-up who can take his side to the 300 mark. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik can take Pakistan to a certain score but actually I am always on the lookout for star names that can put in stellar performances and make you sit back and go 'Wow, this lad can play'.

"If Pakistan can get one or two of their star younger players doing a Virat Kohli or being like a Jos Buttler or doing a Kane Williamson or a David Warner, then that's when Pakistan will be right in the tournament. So, it's the younger Pakistani batsmen that I am looking out for at this World Cup."

That being said, Hussain did not disregard the importance of 37-year old Malik and 38-year old Hafeez, the veteran all-rounders who have amassed 490 ODI caps between them. "They will be vital but Pakistan in general have to find a way of getting a score," he said.

"Hafeez and Malik with their experience have to work out what is a good score for their bowling line-up and conditions."

Hussain also complimented the Sarfaraz- Mickey Arthur collaboration at the helm of the Pakistan side, heralding their passion. "I really like Sarfaraz Ahmed and I like the Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur combination.

"Pakistan is a very emotional, cricket-loving nation and what Pakistan need is a street-fighter-type in charge of the team. I mean that in the nicest of ways and Sarfaraz is that street-fighter and someone that I would definitely want to go to battle alongside against any opponent.

"I don't see Sarfaraz as a bottler, I see him as a real fighter and the Pakistan fans that I know and have known over the years they want their team to fight, and with Sarfaraz and Mickey Arthur you get that fighting spirit in abundance."

Hussain backed the selectors' decision to only pick Mohammad Amir in the squad for the imminent England ODIs, offering a chance for him prove his worth in the team before the tournament begins on 30 May. He did, however, back the 27-year old to find form again. "Obviously there has been a lot of disappointment from Pakistan fans regarding Mohammad Amir and I am sure that for such a high-quality bowler, Amir himself is disappointed in these statistics and his output," he said.

"It seems that the white ball isn't swinging as much for him these days. When I recall Mohammad Amir at his best, he was bowling those big booming in-swingers and then the one going across the batsman became a threat.

"I think they have done the right thing with Amir: 'Go to England, play in the five-match series against England, the door is not closed on you and we will pick from that 17-man squad and let's see if you can get back to your best. We want you to do well, but you have to make sure you put in the performances in those five ODIs against England to play in the World Cup.'

"But having said all of this, I see him as a big-match player and one only has to think back to how he bowled in the Champions Trophy final and the players he got out. There is no doubt that he gets great players out when he is on-song."

Pakistan play England on 5 May in a solitary T20I, before the five-match ODI series begins on 8 May.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1202371

 

[the Great Khan]

naz agreeing with me when i called sarfi a streetfighter lol..

 

[Saj]

A pleasure speaking with one of the best commentators ever.

This guy knows his cricket, talks sense, does his researxc and has great technical knowledge. He makes Pakistani commentators look like novices.

 

[Savak]

Hussein in his heart definately wants Pakistan to do well but logically speaking Pakistan's recent form and weaknesses in comparison to the Big 5 means no chance, in the CT 2017 we peaked at the right time and played out of our skins, don't see other teams under estimating Pakistan again.

 

[the Great Khan]

Hussein in his heart definately wants Pakistan to do well but logically speaking Pakistan's recent form and weaknesses in comparison to the Big 5 means no chance, in the CT 2017 we peaked at the right time and played out of our skins, don't see other teams under estimating Pakistan again.

i think we may be found out in tournament play this time..this format is pretty ruthless and if your a good team eventually you will click and get to where you need to. If your a poor team you may win a few here and there but as the tournament progresses you will ultimatley run out of juice..

everyone will talk about 92 but everyone forgets were were a top class ODI outfit in those days, with years of winning trophies behind us and a winning mentality. Yes we won the CT2017 but that was a shorter sharper tournament where we just needed to win perhaps two or three games and then boom we are in the semis against the favs who were under pressure..

this time we could win our first two and then suddenly lose the plot against the big guns...

One major thing to think about however, everyone is going to go through the ringer in this tournament. The team who will remain consistent will get to the semis. For me India just look too good at the moment because they have Kohli and some spinners..and they can win two or three games on the trot against some pretty poor bowling attacks on flat phutta ICC pitches..I expect to see them in the final again and probably winning it..

the surprise teams will probably be the aussies, lankans and the bangla boys..I think we will hit a wall and just collapse at some point with Mickey having his ehad in his hands on numerous occasions..

or or maybe just maybe we are totally bakwass throughout and some how manage to sneak some wins in and the enxt thing you know dangerous pakistan in the semis..oh wouldnt that be glorious lol

 

[IAJ]

Really love listing to Nasser, Atherton and Bill Lawry. The late Tony Cozier was also very good.

 

[The Viper]

Excellent view by Nasser as usual.

I think the most important part is that the approach. He is spot on saying that 300 should be the target- 270-80 can no longer be an acceptable score.

 

[MenInG]

Lovely hearing Nasser on TV - such precise stuff.

 

[Mercurial]

Our bowling line up is a worry, heavily dependent on Hasan Ali. The batting lacks firepower as well. Lets see, though.

 

[Mercurial]

It is better to lower the expectations.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Reality check for Nasser. He's just described the first 10 over scoring rate as like something from 15 years ago.

 

[Mamoon]

Nasser is a top class analyst but he tries too hard to come across as a well-wisher of Pakistan cricket.

 

[Hasan123]

Nasser is a top class analyst but he tries too hard to come across as a well-wisher of Pakistan cricket.

Why do you think that he is doing that?

 

[AZulfi]

I disagree. ODIs are mainly won by batsmen. Batting is weak and very unpredictable. Umar Akmal (or some other explosive player) should have been selected despite his shenanigans. We will waste the second power play as we clearly lack powerful hitters in the lower-middle and lower order. This was all too evident during the recent ODI series against Australia (I know a few players were rested) where we struggled to post really challenging totals despite making good starts.

England, India and Australia are the three strongest batting sides in this World Cup and hence favourites imo. However world cups are not always won by the best team (on paper). You need to peak at the right time and you do need luck going your way as well.

 

[MenInG]

Why do you think that he is doing that?

Could be that with his years of experience he can see something good about Pakistan cricket as opposed to our resident naysayers

 

[the Great Khan]

On a serious note, we have to win approx 6 games..can we realistically do this? can we beat new zealand australia and england? we have to beat the windies, lanka and bangladesh. Those are must win games. then we have to also beat afghanistan who are not going to be push overs. then two out of south africa, aus,eng,ind and NZ..that is the equation..

Personally if we cant beat the windies,bang or lanka we dont deserve to go through..

 

[Mamoon]

Why do you think that he is doing that?

Don’t know, but his over the top pandering can get cringeworthy at times.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Nasser still has a soft spot for Pakistan based on the side they used to be back in his era. You see a lot of his England peers from the same time saying the same thing, i.e. Pakistan are a flair team, fantastic bowlers, can beat anyone on their day ( still true to some extent) etc.

They only get to see Pakistan when they come to England, and for some reason Pakistan always seems to perform well over here.

 

[Ronaldo7]

On a serious note, we have to win approx 6 games..can we realistically do this? can we beat new zealand australia and england? we have to beat the windies, lanka and bangladesh. Those are must win games. then we have to also beat afghanistan who are not going to be push overs. then two out of south africa, aus,eng,ind and NZ..that is the equation..

Personally if we cant beat the windies,bang or lanka we dont deserve to go through..

I think we can beat wi, Sri lanka, ban, and Afg. After that we just have to win 2 more. If we can't even win 2 games against the top teams then we don't even deserve to go through. The match against wi is really important coz realistically after pak, wi are the only ones with a chance. Sri lanka, afg and ban don't really have a chance.

 

[Mp812]

I think we can beat wi, Sri lanka, ban, and Afg. After that we just have to win 2 more. If we can't even win 2 games against the top teams then we don't even deserve to go through. The match against wi is really important coz realistically after pak, wi are the only ones with a chance. Sri lanka, afg and ban don't really have a chance.

Bangladesh might just surprise all including you

 

[the Great Khan]

Bangladesh might just surprise all including you

I wouldnt be surprised..they may have some good results in this tournament and what if it rains..what if the weather plays a part too??

To have a chance the mid tier teams have to win matches against the teams around them so for bang to do well they have to beat lanka windies pak and afghanistan..they are all must win games for all of us..then you can go all out against the so called big three or four..

 

[the Great Khan]

I see Pakistan being more of a spoiler kind of team in this world cup..not quite good enough to get to the semis but good enough to cause an upset and stop other teams from getting there..

 

[pakistani pride]

Dont understand why people get all worked up by his comments.

Just look at the performances of the PAK team in last decade in the UK.

Whenever they play in the UK it gives the viewers some great cricket to watch. It got a lot to do with the PAK fans and pitches. Our bowlers become deadly when they realize they have assistance from the pitch.

Nasser few days ago during the game said that when you see a PAK FAST BOWLER running in with the ball in has hand you get the feeling he is born to do this.

Like it or not but PAK cricket has lots of fans.

 

[UP]

Love Nasser. Great guy and analyst. But Pak have become minnows. We get thrashed 8/10 by top teams. The flair and excitement of Pak team has long vanished. We have been poor since 2003. We have hardly won except two ICC tournaments. We have been beaten over and over by top dogs. We have become a boring team. We simply don’t produce players of the 80’s and 90’s with top class skills and in your face personality. Its sad to see the decline over the years. The last world class player we produced was in 2005 in the shape of Asif.

 

[Tapori]

Legendary man
Great comments
Top interview

 

[MenInG]

After Sunday’s IPL final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the cricketing fraternity will shift its on the ICC World Cup 2019 starting from May 30. A little more than a fortnight before the tournament opener, former England captain Nasser Hussain picked the four semi-finalists of the World Cup.

According to Hussain, India, hosts England, Pakistan and Australia will be the ones to reach the semi-finals of upcoming ODI World Cup.

Speaking on the ICC Cricket World Cup Preview show on Sky Sports, Hussain said: “You look at India, they travel so well. They’re in the mix.

There’s pressure on England at home but they are a great side. And I think New Zealand and Pakistan can both surprise people. I’m going with that four,” the former England skipper added.

The ICC World Cup 2019 will be played in a different format than the last few editions of the tournament. There are no groups and all 10 teams – England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, Afghanistan and South Africa – will face each other in first round with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

Hosts England will take on South Africa in the tournament opener on May 30. India start their campaign on June 5 against South Africa.

The warm-up games for World Cup 2019 will begin from May 24 with Pakistan facing Afghanistan. Each team will play 2 warm-up games before the tournament.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-tournament/story-1DPOiOt9Zy2oUBr4XJHrnI.html

 

[light]

I wouldnt be surprised..they may have some good results in this tournament and what if it rains..what if the weather plays a part too??

To have a chance the mid tier teams have to win matches against the teams around them so for bang to do well they have to beat lanka windies pak and afghanistan..they are all must win games for all of us..then you can go all out against the so called big three or four..

This is england, rain will play part in alot of the matches. Rain and England = a love story.

 

[jnaveen1980]

This is the first time Pakistan goes into a World Cup with batting stronger than their bowling and India goes into a World Cup with bowling stronger than their batting. In World cups bowlers with X factor is crucial.

 

[Bewal Express]

I hope Nas is right and we can reach the SF but I can't see it. I think we need to be in with a shout when we have the last 3 games to play against Afg, BD and NZ. I think if need to win those 3 games, we can do but then there is always the weather. What is also obvious is Babar has to open, abid at 3, Haris at 4 although mentally he is weak and Hafeez at 5.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

I’d love to see Mickey Arthur and sarfraz fighting
Would bring back the Javed Miandad days

 

[battler]

On a serious note, we have to win approx 6 games..can we realistically do this? can we beat new zealand australia and england? we have to beat the windies, lanka and bangladesh. Those are must win games. then we have to also beat afghanistan who are not going to be push overs. then two out of south africa, aus,eng,ind and NZ..that is the equation..

Personally if we cant beat the windies,bang or lanka we dont deserve to go through..

You can definitely beat India this time as we are being led by captain dumb. Only hope is if Dhoni takes over the captaincy from him completely. By the way I think Pakistan can definitely beat Lanka, BD, Afg, you can try out batting SA as their batting isn't particularly good. WI will be a challenge I feel unless you've got really good spinners.
I think you would struggle against Aus and Eng. But can realistically beat all the other teams. So semi-final berth is definitely not out of the equation for you guys.

 

[MenInG]

NEW ZEALAND

World Cup best: Runners-up (2015)
2015 result: Runners-up (lost to Australia)

Talking point: International cricket's perennial dark horses. Brendon McCullum took them all the way to the final in 2015 and, four years on, almost half of that squad remain as they try to go one better under Kane Williamson. With a powerful batting line-up, a potent seam-bowling attack and a couple of very handy spinners, they have the talent and balance in their squad to match their know-how but will it be enough to pip those more-celebrated sides to the post?

Nasser says: It's now a cliched thing to refer to them as dark horses, because they're always there or thereabouts. You look at their squad and it's consistently the same names time after time. The likes of Williamson, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor - lots of experience. I'm backing them to get through to the last four.

Nasser's one to watch: Williamson will be most people's pick, understandably. But, for me, I'm picking Taylor. His form in white-ball cricket has been exceptional over the last 18 months or so - averaging over 80. He had an eye operation, and he now seems to be picking up the ball better than ever. He is a rock in that New Zealand middle-order and has a lot of experience playing in England.

Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor


PAKISTAN

World Cup best: Winners (1992)
2015 result: Quarter-finals (lost to Australia)

Talking point: Pakistan's woeful form coming into this World Cup - 10 defeats in their last 11 ODIs (a washout the other) - was only worsened with defeat to Afghanistan in a warm-up game. Their 4-0 series drubbing by England prompted three changes to their squad, the most notable of which is the return of Mohammad Amir. His sensational six-over spell of 3-16.

Nasser says: Don't write them off. They are going into the tournament in abysmal form, but just remember what happened in the Champions Trophy in England two years ago. Usually with Pakistan, you say that their bowling is brilliant and their batting is a bit suspect, but it is the odd way round heading into this World Cup.

Nasser's one to watch: With the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, the batting looks strong. But I'm going for Babar as their key man - he is up there with some of the best white-ball batsmen in the world at the moment.

Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz


SOUTH AFRICA

World Cup best: Semi-finals (1992, 1999, 2007, 2015)
2015 result: Semi-finals (lost to New Zealand)

Talking point: Should Hashim Amla have been picked? It might seem sacrilege to question a man with over 7,900 one-day international runs, 27 hundreds and an average a lick under 50 but the 35-year-old has passed three figures just once in his last 17 ODIs for the Proteas, against Pakistan in January. The selectors decided to pick Amla over Reeza Hendricks but may not have done had Hendricks fared better in the 5-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in March - a best of 29 in four innings possibly costing him his spot.

Nasser says: I think South Africa have quite liked people writing them off a little bit, going into a World Cup under the radar for the first time in a while. But they've got a pretty good bowling attack - if they can all stay fit - with Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir. The only problem is, I'm not sure if they can afford to play them all, as it would leave them with a very long tail.

Nasser's one to watch: Faf du Plessis. He will get runs, but also as a captain - working out the best balance to their team - he will be key.


Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen


SRI LANKA

World Cup best: Winners (1996)
2015 result: Quarter-finals (lost to South Africa)

Talking point: A team with a mix of experience and inexperienced players, who have spent little time playing with one another, Sri Lanka's biggest challenge will be ensuring they can come together as a team on the field. Avoiding slipping up against Afghanistan and Bangladesh may be their top priorities, with a win against one of the stronger teams in tournament looking like a steep challenge.

Pundit says: From what I've seen of them of late, they're just not the side they used to be. It's a real shame, because they've always been a big-match and big-tournament side, but I just can't see them doing much.

Pundit's one to watch: Someone like Angelo Mathews, with all of his experience. With Sri Lanka, 50 overs sometimes looks a long time for them to bat, so Mathews in those middle overs is going to be vital.


Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay


WEST INDIES

World Cup best: Winners (1975, 1979)
2015 result: Quarter-finals (lost to New Zealand)

Talking point: Chris Gayle's farewell from international cricket? Or perhaps not? Gayle appeared to backtrack on his announcement that he'd retire following this World Cup after blasting England around the Caribbean in their tied ODI series earlier this year. But, at the very least, it will be the last World Cup for the Universe Boss, and he comes into it in blistering form and with a West Indies team that arguably has its best shot at causing a stir for quite some time.

Nasser says: The West Indies look a very strong side. They've selected well, being able to pick their IPL boys. On their day, they have some simply destructive batsmen - Gayle, Evin Lewis, Andre Russell, Shai Hope. One thing I would say is that they are maybe one bowler short, maybe in the spin department - they have no mystery spinner - and so that is an area teams can target.

Nasser's one to watch: Russell will be the key man, for me. He is obviously a hugely destructive T20 player - arguably the best all-rounder in world cricket - but can he transfer that into 50 overs? You have to bat longer, bowl longer spells. Can his body cope?

Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...indies-south-africa-new-zealand-and-sri-lanka

 

[topspin]

Nasser is a top class analyst but he tries too hard to come across as a well-wisher of Pakistan cricket.

Why do you think that he is doing that?

The reason why he's well-wisher of Pakistan cricket, because he's sympathetic towards our cricketers and passionate fan base. I don't want to play the victim card but missing out on IPL and matches at home, is a very sad predicament. He knows we're a rather isolated cricket side, when it comes to power and influence.

Mamoon, I think it's unfair to keep bashing Nasser like this. I don't understand why it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. I think his "Pakistan cricket one minute down, next minute up", was an excellent punch line as well, not sure anyone else finds it cringeworthy and I don't expect him to bring it up again in the WC, even if we do by some miracle go on to win it.

You agreed with me, that he's one of the two best commentators (along with Athers) in cricket and it's evident he's enjoyed playing against and watching Pakistan cricket over the years because he has been accustomed to seeing the side produce exciting players full of flair and quality. I guess he would be even more saddened by Pakistan's decline and this is no different to someone holding the same sympathetic views on WI, as a quite number of pundits are.

It's easy to think he's biased in favour of Pakistan, but having followed him as a batsman (in his latter years) and throughout his journey as a commentator, he's also spoken negatively at Pakistan when warranted, for e.g. he wrote in an article about wanting to see Pakistan banned following the spot-fixing scandal and I don't blame him for those views, because all the English were lashing out at the team as this isn't the first time Pakistan have been guilty of this. Also, they were even more deeply hurt due to the fact it took place at Lords, which also happens to be the most prestigious cricket venue in the world.

Like you, I have no sympathy for the PCB and for certain players but from a fans perspective we should respect him for being well-wisher of Pakistan cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Well he did warn us all but some refused to listen....

 

[Anabia722]

Really can't understand whether the article is about a good side or a side that's horribly inconsistent. Strange when inconsistency is sugar-coated with the tag of unpredictability & praised. Well, its a good attitude towards life.

 

[Kianig89]

So potentially 5more wins to lift the WC a mammoth task but still possible if the team remains discipline

 

[sugumarrising]

Asking for too much from a mid table team presently.

 

[MenInG]

Happy 52nd Birthday to Nasser Hussain!