Pakistan's best chance to win the World Cup since 1999?

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Many factors playing roles

1.Young energetic players unlike the deadwood we had in 2003 to 2015.
2.Played in England multiple times before the WC
3.Swinging conditions in England suitable for our pacers.
4.An excellent captain in Sarfraz.
5.The WC format.

I reckon this is our best chance to win since 1999.

 

[HuzaifaE]

2011 had our name written all over it, that was the World Cup that got away. Overall there was no juggernaut team at that tournament, and we had everything clicking, team spirit, favorable conditions, chemistry, bowling, momentum. Then we somehow Mohali'd it.

We look set for a good run in 2019 but I don't have a good feeling for that reason, we never live up to the hype at ICC events, we tend to perform when there is no hype or expectation.

 

[Asif321]

back pakistan to reach semis then we cant say anything its a good day or bad day it involves 30% luck

 

[Sajjad-007]

This time we will have a good prepration. 5 odis vs England just before the wc.

 

[Peshwa]

Pakistan is hot favourite to win their Second ODI World Cup..Best bowling lineup in the world with more than decent batting order

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Four semifinalists

India
ENG
NZ
AUs(Would depend on whether Smith and Warner come back or not)/ Pak

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan actually do better when they are not favoirites like in 92 and in CT 2017. They were ,imo, clear favourites for 87 world cup but see what happened there. In other world cups - 96,99 etc. they were one of the favourites not outright favourites I think.

 

[Xoib]

Pakistan actually do better when they are not favoirites like in 92 and in CT 2017. They were ,imo, clear favourites for 87 world cup but see what happened there. In other world cups - 96,99 etc. they were one of the favourites not outright favourites I think.

Pakistan was co second favourite in 92 along with Windies behind Aus who were overwhelming favourites

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Need to kick out Malik and Hafeez asap for Haris and Talat and then I do see ourselves as favs. Almost all bases covered.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

2011 had our name written all over it, that was the World Cup that got away. Overall there was no juggernaut team at that tournament, and we had everything clicking, team spirit, favorable conditions, chemistry, bowling, momentum. Then we somehow Mohali'd it.

We look set for a good run in 2019 but I don't have a good feeling for that reason, we never live up to the hype at ICC events, we tend to perform when there is no hype or expectation.

sorry yar but an odi batting line up of Misbah , Younis , Kami, Hafeez and Shafiq never gave me confidence. Knew they will bottle it but India k against.......

 

[Arham_PakFan]

2011 was our best chance but we blew it.

 

[barah_admi]

I agree, best chance of winning since 1999 (the less said about 211 the better) BUT it all hinges on how the very young team progresses in that period of time. ODI series against Aus and SA will tell us a lot.

The likes of Shadab, Fakhar, Babar, Amir, Hasan and one of the left arm spinners are sort of settled in already, but they need to keep being consistent. Talat, hopefully Salman, Shinwari and a few others can all hopefully progress to being world class come summer 2019.

 

[HuzaifaE]

sorry yar but an odi batting line up of Misbah , Younis , Kami, Hafeez and Shafiq never gave me confidence. Knew they will bottle it but India k against.......

We had the best bowling lineup by a mile in those conditions, by a MILE. The fact that we lost by 30 odd runs after dropping Sachin about 700 times and with two of the worst ODI batting innings I've ever seen courtesy Younus and Misbah tells a story, it wasn't a case of us being capable of putting India to bed, we absolutely SHOULD have put India to bed.

 

[WengerOut]

I am surprised people regret 2011 more than 1999. That 1999 Pak team was the dream team. Every aspects covered. I dare say no other team was close in cricket history. They under achieved massively even if you take into account they were runners up.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan was co second favourite in 92 along with Windies behind Aus who were overwhelming favourites

I thought that was a very open world cup with England, SA and NZ fielding quality teams as well. In fact , apart from India , the rest of the top 7 all had a good chance I think .

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I am surprised people regret 2011 more than 1999. That 1999 Pak team was the dream team. Every aspects covered. I dare say no other team was close in cricket history. They under achieved massively even if you take into account they were runners up.

Huh? Steyn, Morkel, Tahir, Tsotsobe were as good in these conditions. Pakistan were certainly not a mile ahead in bowling. In fact, Saffers were the favourites for that cup with a damn strong all-round team and England before they got hit by injuries.

 

[Xoib]

I thought that was a very open world cup with England, SA and NZ fielding quality teams as well. In fact , apart from India , the rest of the top 7 all had a good chance I think .

England yes Enzed was very average and overachieved due to some innovative and bold captaincy of Crowe while Sa was totally unknown commodity with grand total of 3 odis since readmission so yeah i respectfully disagree

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England yes Enzed was very average and overachieved due to some innovative and bold captaincy of Crowe while Sa was totally unknown commodity with grand total of 3 odis since readmission so yeah i respectfully disagree

Fair enough. 4 favourites then?

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

2011 had our name written all over it, that was the World Cup that got away. Overall there was no juggernaut team at that tournament, and we had everything clicking, team spirit, favorable conditions, chemistry, bowling, momentum. Then we somehow Mohali'd it.

We look set for a good run in 2019 but I don't have a good feeling for that reason, we never live up to the hype at ICC events, we tend to perform when there is no hype or expectation.

This is not true

iIn 2011 not a single person gave pakistan a chance because of the spot fixing saga and we had won only one odi series in 4 years.

But after the tournament started and we beat AUS then we became favorites

India and SL were favorites.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

2011 was our best chance but we blew it.

This is not true

iIn 2011 not a single person gave pakistan a chance because of the spot fixing saga and we had won only one odi series in 4 years.

But after the tournament started and we beat AUS then we became favorites

India and SL were favorites.

 

[HuzaifaE]

This is not true

iIn 2011 not a single person gave pakistan a chance because of the spot fixing saga and we had won only one odi series in 4 years.

But after the tournament started and we beat AUS then we became favorites

India and SL were favorites.

That's completely irrelevant, fact is, with four teams left standing, we were favorites, heck, even in the initial group stage it was evident we're top contenders.

 

[Rahul1]

Many factors playing roles

1.Young energetic players unlike the deadwood we had in 2003 to 2015.
2.Played in England multiple times before the WC
3.Swinging conditions in England suitable for our pacers.
4.An excellent captain in Sarfraz.
5.The WC format.

I reckon this is our best chance to win since 1999.

No offence but I don't think you've followed enough cricket over the past few years if you think that England has 'swinging conditions' in odis now a days.

They have the flattest imaginable wickets for odis for the past 2-3 years.

 

[mankuTimma]

That's completely irrelevant, fact is, with four teams left standing, we were favorites, heck, even in the initial group stage it was evident we're top contenders.

Who made you favourites when 4 teams left standing?Pakistani Media?

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

That's completely irrelevant, fact is, with four teams left standing, we were favorites, heck, even in the initial group stage it was evident we're top contenders.

How is that?


Trundler like Razzaq was opening the bowling for us
We got bowled out below 200 vs Canada!!
We got a huge thrashing from NZ

India,SL,SA were always the favorites

If you remember clearly Indian commentators were praising Pakistan after we lost to India that we exceeded the expectations

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

I am surprised people regret 2011 more than 1999. That 1999 Pak team was the dream team. Every aspects covered. I dare say no other team was close in cricket history. They under achieved massively even if you take into account they were runners up.

The Pakistan team of the 90s were major underachievers

Could not win a single ICC tournament after 1992

 

[Markhor]

Need to improve our batting and add some explosive hitters.

Should have won in 1996 BTW.

 

[HuzaifaE]

How is that?


Trundler like Razzaq was opening the bowling for us
We got bowled out below 200 vs Canada!!
We got a huge thrashing from NZ

India,SL,SA were always the favorites

If you remember clearly Indian commentators were praising Pakistan after we lost to India that we exceeded the expectations

We won our Group, could not have won any easier in the Quarters and had the best bowling attack, it's honestly not difficult to see why we'd be seen as a force to be reckoned with.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Who made you favourites when 4 teams left standing?Pakistani Media?

That was not an unpopular stance, it was one even Ian Botham had seeing how momentum was in our side.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Still think we need an out and out fast bowler. It's overdue from Pakistan.

Someone who can put real fear into the opposition.

Where is he?

 

[NeVerMind]

Still think we need an out and out fast bowler. It's overdue from Pakistan.

Someone who can put real fear into the opposition.

Where is he?

Return of the Mooch!

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Return of the Mooch!

No not him

150+ with brains and consistency.

 

[Hasan123]

Replace the deadwood in the batting line up, and we have a very good chance.

 

[mankuTimma]

That was not an unpopular stance, it was one even Ian Botham had seeing how momentum was in our side.

How?Even when India also among 4 that too at home!

 

[WengerOut]

Huh? Steyn, Morkel, Tahir, Tsotsobe were as good in these conditions. Pakistan were certainly not a mile ahead in bowling. In fact, Saffers were the favourites for that cup with a damn strong all-round team and England before they got hit by injuries.

It is the 1999 Pak team that i was talking about

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Four semifinalists

India
ENG
NZ
AUs(Would depend on whether Smith and Warner come back or not)/ Pak

You are underestimating Australia here.

These 3 teams are the red hot favorites (in order): Australia, India and England.

But if Pak can hit momentum at the right time and there is no drama/controversies to distract team then, Insha'Allah, we will smack all three of them and lift the World Cup (heheh)

 

[austerlitz]

Favourites -England,India,Austrialia(in that order)
Dark horse - South africa and Pakistan
Big teams need to be wary of afghanistan.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The bowling would pretty much need to carry the batting all the way to the final in 2019 just like the bowling did in 1999.

Our batting in ODIs isnt great! lets not kid ourselves here.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

The bowling would pretty much need to carry the batting all the way to the final in 2019 just like the bowling did in 1999.

Our batting in ODIs isnt great! lets not kid ourselves here.

Agreed but it’s the best we’ve had in some time with some dashers, all-rounders, big-hitters and we bat deep.

 

[UN talkz]

How is Australia favourite????
They will get thrashed even if they have both Warner and Smith in the team, they wont even reach semis.

 

[mankuTimma]

How is Australia favourite????
They will get thrashed even if they have both Warner and Smith in the team, they wont even reach semis.

Bowling and hope Lynn/Maxwell/Finch clicks in crucial matches.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Favourites -England,India,Austrialia(in that order)
Dark horse - South africa and Pakistan
Big teams need to be wary of afghanistan.

Sorry not Australia

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

We won our Group, could not have won any easier in the Quarters and had the best bowling attack, it's honestly not difficult to see why we'd be seen as a force to be reckoned with.

Yes that's what I am saying

We were not favorites we became favorites after beating Australia and topping the group

 

[sam_ahm]

If anything the format goes against Pakistan as it rewards consistency and Pakistan are the most inconsistent team I've seen.

This WC may end up seeing a lot of dead rubbers unless teams like SLN, WI, BAN, AFG and PAK consistently play well.

It's a 5 way race for 4 spots otherwise.

 

[austerlitz]

Just watching rashid khan and mujeeb in ipl,these 2 wrist spinners are lethal.Don't underestimate afg.

 

[ahmedzee]

Pakistan has a good team in ODI but don't forget, India and England are way stronger. Hopefully they would get to Semis, but then it is a gamble.

 

[Ab Fan]

I agree.

 

[msb314]

2011 was our best chance but we blew it.

Haha no way buddy.

That WC had India written all over it!

No way were we ever going win the WC on Indian soil.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It is the 1999 Pak team that i was talking about

Sorry bro. Meant to reply to the other poster.

 

[babajee]

4 men will have to be in top form and fire consistently if we are to win the tournament:

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali

 

[Saj]

I think the emergence of youngsters like Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali have been a breath of fresh air.

All 3 are more than capable of winning any match on their own.

 

[Deewana]

I think the emergence of youngsters like Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali have been a breath of fresh air.

All 3 are more than capable of winning any match on their own.

I think faheem is over hyped he hasn't won any match on his own so far I expect better from

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I think faheem is over hyped he hasn't won any match on his own so far I expect better from

True he hasn't won any matches and is a level below likes of Shadab and Hasan till now but the guy has potential, is v.hardworking and has a great attitude towards the game. Certainly worth persisting atleast till World Cup. Against Zimbawe I think he should be moved up in few games, that will give him much needed batting exposure in international matches and confidence in his batting.

 

[babajee]

I think faheem is over hyped he hasn't won any match on his own so far I expect better from

Faheem has played against SL and NZ.

Didn’t get much of a chance vs SL and NZ blanked us 5-0....

 

[coy0607]

Need to kick out Malik and Hafeez asap for Haris and Talat and then I do see ourselves as favs. Almost all bases covered.

Hafeez is already out
Malik is the cleanest hitter in the team - need him

 

[coy0607]

I think the emergence of youngsters like Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali have been a breath of fresh air.

All 3 are more than capable of winning any match on their own.

add Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Hussain Talat

 

[kuskash]

No one can stop Pak winning 2019 WC, they will kick India out of the tournament very very badly. End of discussion.

 

[Sadevdesai]

As usual ..... lots of Chest thumping Before the event takes place !!!!!!!1

 

[kuskash]

I think faheem is over hyped he hasn't won any match on his own so far I expect better from

Pak cricketer and overhyped? You must be kidding.....

 

[shokz1408]

Coming off a successful champions trophy in England we have a very good chance. I'm expecting us to make the semis atleast.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan has good chance , they need to get right combination. Also , good thing is that there is no stand out match winner , all have to play and contribute as a team.

 

[JaDed]

Pakistan has to continuously win matches, only thing in favor is England being the host country.

 

[giri26]

The tournament being played in England gives Pakistan a good chance as it will favour their seamers. Similar to how Azhar Mahmood and Abdul Razzak along with Wasim Akram did in 1999. But again in spite of the CT 2017 heroics, I want to see Pakistan play some games against top opposition in ODI to assess the actual progress of the side. The world cup is more than a year away and lots of things can change during that time. To be frank I wasn't impressed with neither the batting or the bowling in NZ. The bowling except for Shadab in one of the games did not look threatening at all and batting struggled except for Hafeez and Fakhar in one game.

 

[khurram39]

Out of 9 they need to win at least 6 to qualify for semis except to the situation created in 92. let see how things move on.

They might have good experience of English conditions though.

 

[ARK Rafay]

It's a good chance though. But after seeing the recent batting performance. I don't think we have a good batting unit.

Bowling was and will always be good. On a pitch where teams score around 320-340. Batting is the thing that lets us down. And our bowlers on bad days concede just over 300.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam are the ones so far who can win matches for us. We need to find a great opener along with Fakhar in the next 5-6 months. Also Safraz needs to bat up than no. 6.

 

[sam_ahm]

First and foremost, Pakistan have to improve their ODI form. Last time I saw them they lost 5-0 against New Zealand.

Pakistani fans have very short memories, a couple of T20 series wins and PPers here are speaking as if Pakistan are No.1 ODI team.

Personally I would love to see Pakistan do well. They remain one of my favorite teams but as of now there is a lot of work that needs to be done. There are much better teams out there. Pakistan will have to play like they played in CT 2017, throughout thw tournament. Consistency is the key in next years format.