Will Pakistan bounce back from the Asia Cup reality check to win the World Cup?

[Nikhil_cric]

Back in 2016, Pakistan were destroyed 4-1 in England and again 4-1 in Australia in the ODI legs of both series. We saw what the same bunch of players were a year later in the CT though after the 1st match defeat at the hands of India. The Asia Cup was held in the UAE which doesn't really suit the Pakistani brand of cricket and which actually favours the defensive brand of cricket that India plays so too much cannot be read into the results.
They always do better in places like India and England. With the world cup being in England next year, i expect this same bunch of players to show their true worth at the World Cup just like in CT17. A hurt Pakistan is always a dangerous Pakistan and one not to be taken lightly. Thoughts?

 

[Bangalorean]

Good jinx brother!

Jokes apart, never write off Pak cricket team, they may do the unthinkable when underdogs

 

[szundercover]

Good jinx brother!

Jokes apart, never write off Pak cricket team, they may do the unthinkable when underdogs

Pakistan actually plays the best when they are the underdogs.

 

[Messiah]

Yes. In England wickets, pak is easily a better team than the likes of India. They will smash their way to works cup win just like CT

 

[BDfanforever]

In WC, you have to perform consistently against top teams. Pak will have difficult times even facing lesser teams.

Eng is the favorite to win the World Cup, they beat both Australia and India black and blue 7-1 or something.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Yes. In England wickets, pak is easily a better team than the likes of India. They will smash their way to works cup win just like CT

Apart from CT,Pakistan's odi record in England is poor

 

[aloo paratha]

Apart from CT,Pakistan's odi record in England is poor

To be fair, our ODI team has been completely trash for over a decade, our record is poor everywhere.

 

[docteurmanish]

it will be an afg- pak final
petrol back to 50 rupees in india
Obama will be US president again

 

[the_outsider]

They may. But it's a myth that Pak is a better team in English conditions in LOIs. This is nothing but the halo effect of the CT17.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;host=1;orderby=won;spanmin1=30+Sep+2008;spanval1=span;team=1;team=2;team=3;team=5;team=6;team=7;team=8;template=results;type=team

As you can see, Pak's record in Eng is the same as it is for other teams - all of them with a W/L ratio around the 0.6 to 0.7 mark.

In fact, India is head and shoulders above every other team in Eng with a W/L ratio of 1.5 which is second only to the home side themselves who have W/L ratio of 1.75

 

[RyanRyan10]

To be fair, our ODI team has been completely trash for over a decade, our record is poor everywhere.

Yes
A W/L ratio of 0.4(26 wins & 65 losses) against top teams(Eng,Aus,India,SA,NZ) in this decade

Still a lot of Pak fans get carried away with one off good performance like December series win in India,Series win in SA & CT win

 

[Ab Fan]

I agree. I believe Pakistan are favourites for World Cup 2019.

2019 WC final will be between Pak and England where England will be shown some 27 years old memories once again.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Their usual strength bowling has to click. That is when they win tournaments. If the bowling doesn't click they may even face embarrassing exit.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Their usual strength bowling has to click. That is when they win tournaments. If the bowling doesn't click they may even face embarrassing exit.

Pakistani fast bowlers always click in England. They have the best pace attack in the world and they always peak at the right time. Just look at that Aamir spell from CT final for example.

 

[austerlitz]

The format is against pakistan.
This time its only 2 knockout games -semis and finals.You have to get there by being top 4 in a single group of 10 by playing everyone else.So to go through you need to win 6 matches out of 9.I doubt pakistan has that kind of consistency.Because this means they will not only have to beat 4 out of 4 bottom tier teams,and they have often looked shaky against bangladesh and afghanistan,they will also have to beat 2 out of top 5 teams.
Normally i would say they should beat NZ ,but after 5-0 you cant say that.
India in WC is a mental mountain for pakistan,especially in a group game.
Australia with its bowling attack is going to be a big problem.
SA is actually possible.
England is too strong.

 

[BDfanforever]

Pakistani fast bowlers always click in England. They have the best pace attack in the world and they always peak at the right time. Just look at that Aamir spell from CT final for example.

CT format and WC format is completely different. The intensity of World Cup is whole new level.

Watching Aus vs Ind highights of WC 2015, even Kholi was no body with the intensity that Starc and Johnson was bowling at.

 

[MSaad1237]

No............

 

[Rana]

In WC, you have to perform consistently against top teams. Pak will have difficult times even facing lesser teams.

Eng is the favorite to win the World Cup, they beat both Australia and India black and blue 7-1 or something.

Mark my words, Pakistan will turn up as long as their crowed turns up in games against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand

They will slip up against one of the lower teams for sure such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Most likely will be thumped by India

 

[Nikhil_cric]

CT format and WC format is completely different. The intensity of World Cup is whole new level.

Watching Aus vs Ind highights of WC 2015, even Kholi was no body with the intensity that Starc and Johnson was bowling at.

Yeah but if peak Starc and Johnson can do that, imagine if Aamir/Hasan/Usman/Shaheen collectively hit a purple patch at the CWC next year. Don't think any batsman can survive that.

 

[Akki malhotra]

Yes. In England wickets, pak is easily a better team than the likes of India. They will smash their way to works cup win just like CT

They have a record of 7-1 against india in odi ? I never knew this. I thought we have upper hand against them in last 10 plus odis . If someone can confirm. India is n.o 1 or n.o 2 team for a reason.
Pakistan aint winning world cup. Two cups continously are not pakistan's cup of tea. They are not winning anything anytime soon

 

[Akki malhotra]

Yes. In England wickets, pak is easily a better team than the likes of India. They will smash their way to works cup win just like CT

They have a record of 7-1 against india in odi ? I never knew this. I thought we have upper hand against them in last 10 plus odis . If someone can confirm. India is n.o 1 or n.o 2 team for a reason.
Pakistan aint winning world cup. Two cups continously are not pakistan's cup of tea. They are not winning anything anytime soon

In WC, you have to perform consistently against top teams. Pak will have difficult times even facing lesser teams.

Eng is the favorite to win the World Cup, they beat both Australia and India black and blue 7-1 or something.

[MENTION=9211]BDfanforever[/MENTION] can you confirm about 7-1 record.

 

[BDfanforever]

[MENTION=9211]BDfanforever[/MENTION] can you confirm about 7-1 record.

Recently, Eng beat Australia 5-0 in ODI. After that they beat IND 2-1.

 

[Hasan123]

Unless we improve our batting , it will be a struggle for us at the WC.

 

[TeamPak95]

I highly doubt Pakistan will think about their performances in the Asia Cup when the WC comes around. I believe they'd have played an ODI series vs England right before the WC so at best their performances in that series will be in their minds.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

No doubt, brother. We believe.

 

[MMHS]

NO. Not under Sarfraz.

I might sound oxymoron, but the men that won WC are Lloyd, Kapil, Border, Imran, Arjuna, Steve, Ponting, MSD, Clarke. Nothing personal here - I just don’t feel PAK team can raise their game to win such a tournament under such a player as captain.

It doesn’t happen like that - 11 PAK player can hit top form during WC at a time, which should be more than enough to win it; but it’ll not happen. I can bet most people don’t even bother about who is the Soccer or Basketball captains (rather Coach/Manager is dominant figure there), but in Cricket, you need a leader.

In fact, I am afraid if Sarfraz is kept in charge - PAK might miss the SF cut.

 

[Justcrazy]

To have any chance they need to get rid of sarfaraz , his batting has been poor at best.

I would like to have following team for WC

Sharjeel
Babaar
Fakhar
Harris
Malik
sarfaraz ( Needs to bat well )
faheem
Shadab
yammine
Hassan
Junaid


Two specialist fast bowlers , plus Yammine and faheem .

Shadab , harris , Malik as pin option.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Recently, Eng beat Australia 5-0 in ODI. After that they beat IND 2-1.

You combined the two? Smart.

 

[Bilal7]

Pakistan should do far better in England with their world class pace attack (Amir, Hasan, Junaid, Usman and Shaheen) and top-order batsmen that prefer playing pace rather than spin (Imam, Babar and Haris). Also, the fact that they did win the CT after beating the likes of Lanka, England, South Africa and India means that they should go in with a mental edge.

The UAE pitches were tolerable for Pakistan when they had the likes of Hafeez, Ajmal, Misbah, Afridi and Riaz playing well together but most of these newer guys struggle on those low surfaces. I wonder if this is because of how pace-friendly most of the FC pitches are.

Pakistan might not win but InshAllah, they will perform much better than what critics are expecting them to.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The problem was Pakistan played their world cup XI far too early. They are going to play a series in England just before the world cup. So fans shouldn't worry too much.

 

[Savak]

CT was a one off. Teams are not going to underestimate and take Pakistan for granted again. We are too far behind the top 5. We will have to play out of our skins to compete

 

[Bhaijaan]

There’s no doubt that Pakistan is special in England, especially in multi nation tournaments. UAE nullified their pace attack but in England Amir, Afridi, Junaid, Ali will be a threat.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Pakistan should do far better in England with their world class pace attack (Amir, Hasan, Junaid, Usman and Shaheen) and top-order batsmen that prefer playing pace rather than spin (Imam, Babar and Haris). Also, the fact that they did win the CT after beating the likes of Lanka, England, South Africa and India means that they should go in with a mental edge.

The UAE pitches were tolerable for Pakistan when they had the likes of Hafeez, Ajmal, Misbah, Afridi and Riaz playing well together but most of these newer guys struggle on those low surfaces. I wonder if this is because of how pace-friendly most of the FC pitches are.

Pakistan might not win but InshAllah, they will perform much better than what critics are expecting them to.

Usman is World Class? We saw his world class performance against Rohit and Dhawan in the recent Asia Cup. Serious question: Tell me what did this bunch of Amir, Hasan, Junaid & Usman achieve after the CT 2017 as a unit? How many matches did they win for their country as a combined unit against Top teams in the past 15 months?

 

[Saj]

At this moment I would say no. But I said the same thing before the Champions Trophy.

I feel Pakistan have the bowlers, but they need to find at least one solid batsman who has hitting power.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Doesn’t look like it. This Asia Cup performance has been the epitome of mediocrity, and even one match with this level of performance will destroy the self-confidence of the team. Necessary for PCT to have positive results against Australia in the UAE and England in England, for them to take some momentum into the WC.

 

[Savak]

At this moment I would say no. But I said the same thing before the Champions Trophy.

I feel Pakistan have the bowlers, but they need to find at least one solid batsman who has hitting power.

Pakistan's international rankings were so poor, that it was natural for the rest of the teams to take Pakistan for granted. The fact that we have lost all our games against the top 5 in the last 2-3 years tells you everything about how far our team and players are behind them in ODI's and T-20s.

The top 5 will not make the same mistake of under estimating Pakistan again and will come out all guns blazing ruthlessly against our team doing full research and homework against the likes of Fakhar, Babar, Shadab, Hassan Ali and co. Their honeymoon period is now over, their real test begins now where they have to work on their games and improve on their weaknesses.

 

[the_outsider]

There’s no doubt that Pakistan is special in England, especially in multi nation tournaments. UAE nullified their pace attack but in England Amir, Afridi, Junaid, Ali will be a threat.

No. Pakistan has been very mediocre in England for the last 10 years. This is not 1999. There isn't going to be a Wasim or a Waqar or a Shoaib in the team in 2019.

 

[Hasan123]

NO. Not under Sarfraz.

I might sound oxymoron, but the men that won WC are Lloyd, Kapil, Border, Imran, Arjuna, Steve, Ponting, MSD, Clarke. Nothing personal here - I just don’t feel PAK team can raise their game to win such a tournament under such a player as captain.

It doesn’t happen like that - 11 PAK player can hit top form during WC at a time, which should be more than enough to win it; but it’ll not happen. I can bet most people don’t even bother about who is the Soccer or Basketball captains (rather Coach/Manager is dominant figure there), but in Cricket, you need a leader.

In fact, I am afraid if Sarfraz is kept in charge - PAK might miss the SF cut.

Is there any chance he will be sacked before the WC? I don't see him being sacked .

 

[the_outsider]

Usman is World Class? We saw his world class performance against Rohit and Dhawan in the recent Asia Cup. Serious question: Tell me what did this bunch of Amir, Hasan, Junaid & Usman achieve after the CT 2017 as a unit? How many matches did they win for their country as a combined unit against Top teams in the past 15 months?

Don't you know? Usman is the best bowler in Asia right now!!

Amir who hasn't taken a wicket in 10 matches is the best cricketer who has ever played the game.

And Shaheen after playing 2 matches has already overtaken Wasim's 500 wickets tally? "How did he take 500 wickets in just 2 matches?" you might ask. Well I'll tell you how. By being World Class.

 

[Abdullah719]

Is there any chance he will be sacked before the WC? I don't see him being sacked .

Very unlikely.

 

[shokz1408]

It would be something, it's going to take a lot of hard work and consistent performances. But, our performances there in the CT and lack of in the UAE indicate we will probably feel closer to home in England. Will stand a good chance, restricting the opposition to 200-220 and (hopefully) chasing it down. If they go through to the semi or finals it will be interesting if they have to face India, whether the asia cup beatings will be on the mind, or unable to beat India in a WC, or whether they recall the CT memories from England. Whatever the case we should put up a better bowling performance v India in these conditions, so 8-9 wicket loss should hopefully be out the question. If we meet in the finals it could be 50/50, I'd be so nervous though.

 

[Syed1]

With this batting line up? Good luck

 

[gazza619]

No

 

[Shandarchowka]

Pakistan performs well with underdogs tag. We entered as favorites for asia cup and crashed out. I'd say this is better than crashing in the World Cup. Maybe this is not such a bad thing to happen. Anyway no one cares about stupid Asia cup.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Pakistan performs well with underdogs tag. We entered as favorites for asia cup and crashed out. I'd say this is better than crashing in the World Cup. Maybe this is not such a bad thing to happen. Anyway no one cares about stupid Asia cup.

Just like we performed well in 2003 and 2007 and 2015 World Cups as under dogs?

The word is abused for to give a false sense of security to most desperate fans.

 

[MMHS]

Is there any chance he will be sacked before the WC? I don't see him being sacked .

Azhar was sacked 3-4 months before CT, with just 4 ODI against WIN in between. The WC is still 7-8 months later with confirmed 13 ODIs at hand, and may be few more before WC; one PSL is at hand and there is whole 2 months of IPL window to play a series of games between PAK Green, Red & Blue with top 36 players picked in 3 teams and new Captain with his 2 deputies leading 3 sides under the same coaching staff of Mickey for all 3 teams. On top of that, there are 8 Tests, and few T20s as well. Beside, this year WC itself is a good learning period - teams are guaranteed 9 games; before that PAK can play 7-8 List A Games against County sides for preparation, can play few ODIs with IRL & Scotland in APR-MAY ..... enough time, trust me, more than enough time.

This year, WC is in UK, where Md. Amir will be 1st name even with blind eyes, subject to fitness - that was one of my first reasons to refer him as Captain. You know, in Soccer our Captain is Sir Jordan Henderson, who started against Chelsea and then booed off after 78 minutes ... we scored within 10 minutes after the Captain left!!! Last weekend, Europe won Ryder Cup by a dominant margin against an US team with 7-8 players in top 10 PGA Ranking, and their non playing Captain was the mastermind of this win (For that Paris Course, his 4 wild card picks were highest scorers and his pairing for doubles game left USA far behind to make up in singles with their outstanding individual players). In Cricket, Captain has to lead in game, not on tactical table.

IICRC, MS Dhoni replaced Dravid in May 2007, and IND won ICC T20 WC in September. YK replaced Malik sometimes in March/April 2009, PAK won the 2009 T20 WC in June ....... I don't see any problem of changing Captain even 5-6 months before WC with so many games & time to prepare.

 

[Ahmed216]

For Pak to reach WC semi finals Sarfraz needs to handle pressure better.
Sarfaraz should focus on his batting and allow youngsters like babar fakhar imam hasan shadab Shaheen to express themselves. Y does every player in Pak team talk about management coach captain during interviews. Management ne ye role diya tha and all bakwaas. Where's the freedom to grow?? Why no self assessment, introspection.
If handled properly I am sure with 7-8 months of exposure against good oppositions this new bunch will improve. They'll learn to execute their skills under pressure which certainly didnt happen in Asia cup.
Also address the problem of poor numbers 6,7,8

 

[RyanRyan10]

Azhar was sacked 3-4 months before CT, with just 4 ODI against WIN in between. The WC is still 7-8 months later with confirmed 13 ODIs at hand, and may be few more before WC; one PSL is at hand and there is whole 2 months of IPL window to play a series of games between PAK Green, Red & Blue with top 36 players picked in 3 teams and new Captain with his 2 deputies leading 3 sides under the same coaching staff of Mickey for all 3 teams. On top of that, there are 8 Tests, and few T20s as well. Beside, this year WC itself is a good learning period - teams are guaranteed 9 games; before that PAK can play 7-8 List A Games against County sides for preparation, can play few ODIs with IRL & Scotland in APR-MAY ..... enough time, trust me, more than enough time.

This year, WC is in UK, where Md. Amir will be 1st name even with blind eyes, subject to fitness - that was one of my first reasons to refer him as Captain. You know, in Soccer our Captain is Sir Jordan Henderson, who started against Chelsea and then booed off after 78 minutes ... we scored within 10 minutes after the Captain left!!! Last weekend, Europe won Ryder Cup by a dominant margin against an US team with 7-8 players in top 10 PGA Ranking, and their non playing Captain was the mastermind of this win (For that Paris Course, his 4 wild card picks were highest scorers and his pairing for doubles game left USA far behind to make up in singles with their outstanding individual players). In Cricket, Captain has to lead in game, not on tactical table.

IICRC, MS Dhoni replaced Dravid in May 2007, and IND won ICC T20 WC in September. YK replaced Malik sometimes in March/April 2009, PAK won the 2009 T20 WC in June ....... I don't see any problem of changing Captain even 5-6 months before WC with so many games & time to prepare.

The 2007 T20 WC was the 1st series/tournament where Dhoni lead India

Dravid captained even in the odi series before that which was against England

 

[ManFan]

It requires at least two players to be in top form so I do not see why not but it is highly unlikely.

Out of the four World Cups in England, Pakistan made the SF's 3 times. Last time, 20 years ago, they made the Finals with a sub-par batting order.

I believe Pakistan will not win it but at least make the Semi-Finals.

 

[Syed1]

Seems like we are rapidly hurtling towards playing qualifiers with Uganda and Namibia and domestic cricket in Pakistan is worse than gully cricket in Dhaka

 

[JaDed]

Yes , but don't think they can win the WC, Fakhar was new then..teams.will plan for him now also Pakistan cannot go all the way without Fakhar performing.

 

[Swing]

Unlikely but definitely not impossible. Thing is that we would be needing our bowling to fire in every knockout game which will not be easy even if our bowling attack is good in English conditions. Batting for sure is going to be a big let down for sure. There is just no one who can bat in this team.

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar was sacked 3-4 months before CT, with just 4 ODI against WIN in between. The WC is still 7-8 months later with confirmed 13 ODIs at hand, and may be few more before WC; one PSL is at hand and there is whole 2 months of IPL window to play a series of games between PAK Green, Red & Blue with top 36 players picked in 3 teams and new Captain with his 2 deputies leading 3 sides under the same coaching staff of Mickey for all 3 teams. On top of that, there are 8 Tests, and few T20s as well. Beside, this year WC itself is a good learning period - teams are guaranteed 9 games; before that PAK can play 7-8 List A Games against County sides for preparation, can play few ODIs with IRL & Scotland in APR-MAY ..... enough time, trust me, more than enough time.

This year, WC is in UK, where Md. Amir will be 1st name even with blind eyes, subject to fitness - that was one of my first reasons to refer him as Captain. You know, in Soccer our Captain is Sir Jordan Henderson, who started against Chelsea and then booed off after 78 minutes ... we scored within 10 minutes after the Captain left!!! Last weekend, Europe won Ryder Cup by a dominant margin against an US team with 7-8 players in top 10 PGA Ranking, and their non playing Captain was the mastermind of this win (For that Paris Course, his 4 wild card picks were highest scorers and his pairing for doubles game left USA far behind to make up in singles with their outstanding individual players). In Cricket, Captain has to lead in game, not on tactical table.

IICRC, MS Dhoni replaced Dravid in May 2007, and IND won ICC T20 WC in September. YK replaced Malik sometimes in March/April 2009, PAK won the 2009 T20 WC in June ....... I don't see any problem of changing Captain even 5-6 months before WC with so many games & time to prepare.

I think he will remain captain till the WC. I don't see PCB changing this time.

 

[MMHS]

I think he will remain captain till the WC. I don't see PCB changing this time.

PCB will be forced to change. He is into an age when keeping becomes difficult by every day. Add to that 13 ODIs against NZ, in SAF & AUS - his poor performance was ignored because team was winning (against whom doesn't matter, statistically W/L was high). Do you think, if he keeps his batting form and team looses say 10-12 games out of these 13, PCB will stick to him? You might not hear everything, but it's not by chance that suddenly Ul Haq has decided to pick a back-up WK for 2 Tests & appointed a deputy.

He can remain Captain only if his performance improves significantly or team wins at least minimum acceptable numbers - that's 2-1 win against NZ, 2-3 loss in SAF & 2-3 loss against AUS in UAE. that's 6 out of 13 with 2 series lost. Add to that, 8 T20s as well. This is after considering that SAF is at their lowest point in some years & AUS is almost half the force without those 2 batsmen.

Never compare with Sarfraz & Misbah of 2014-15 - Misbah was still among the best batsmen in team & his team was performing. When he got injured, we had seen Afridi leading PAK team - it's not the same with Sarfraz.