The finalist from the previous edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan, is coming into the tournament stronger than ever. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 2, 2024, and is to be held in the United States of America and the West Indies. Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam in the upcoming ordeal.
Pakistan has a strong team with incredible batting and bowling prowess. They will be looking to make it to the finals once again and claim the title for themselves. Pakistan has built a squad filled with experienced and promising youth. They will be a team to keep an eye out for during the World Cup.
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The Pakistan Team Announced for the T20 World Cup
The Pakistani Team was announced on 24 May 2024. The Pakistanis are well prepared for the tournament as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated “These players have been playing together for some time and look well-prepared and settled for next month’s event.”
The Squad:
| Player | Position |
| Babar Azam (c) | Batsman |
| Abrar Ahmed | Batsman |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | Batsman |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batsman |
| Imad Wasim | All-Rounder |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Wicket Keeper |
| Azam Khan | Wicket Keeper |
| Shadab Khan | All-Rounder |
| Mohammad Abbas Afridi | Bowler |
| Mohammad Amir | Bowler |
| Haris Rauf | Bowler |
| Naseem Shah | Bowler |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Bowler |
| Usman Khan | Batsman |
| Saim Ayub | Bowler |
The Batsmen
Pakistan is a team with solid batsmen who can lead the charge strongly. With some of the best openers on their side, Pakistan has always been formidable with the bat.
The Top-Order Batsmen
Pakistan’s top-order batting is spearheaded by the captain, Babar Azam, who is not only the pillar of their batting line-up but he is also one of the finest batsmen in the world. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate makes him a crucial player for Pakistan. Babar has an incredible strike rate of 130.5. Alongside him, Mohammad Rizwan, the prolific wicketkeeper-batsman, provides stability and aggressiveness at the top.
Rizwan’s consistency and ability to adapt to different situations are vital for setting up a strong foundation. The two put up an iconic opening partnership in their 2021 T20 World Cup campaign against India. The two won the game for Pakistan without losing a single wicket and scored 152 runs together.
Fakhar Zaman is there to back up the beasts of the top-order. Fakhar, known for his explosive batting, adds firepower to the top-order. His attacking approach can unsettle bowlers early on, providing Pakistan with brisk starts. Fakhar’s left-handedness also brings a strategic advantage against certain bowling attacks.
The Middle-Order Batsmen
Leading the charge for the middle order is Iftikhar Ahmed. He is a prolific batsman who can keep the run rate steady. He can anchor the innings when required and accelerate the scoring rate when the situation demands. His ability to adapt to different match scenarios makes him a reliable middle-order option. Joining him is Shadab Khan in the middle order. Shadab is a hard hitter who can quickly get runs on the board for Pakistan. He boasts a run rate of 150 showing his ability to score big after facing very few balls.
The All-Rounders
Shadab Khan is Pakistan’s best all-rounder in the format. Shadab offers crucial contributions in both departments as a leg-spinner and a capable batsman. His leadership qualities and ability to handle pressure situations make him an invaluable asset. He has 107 wickets in 100 T20Is that he has played in. Imad Wasim is the other key all-rounder in the squad. Imad Wasim adds depth and variety to the team’s composition with his accurate left-arm spin and handy batting skills.
The Wicket Keepers
Pakistan has two men who will put on the gloves for the team, Mohammed Rizwan and Azam Khan. The latter of the two has shown a less than stellar performance in his recent games. However, Mohammed Rizwan is an experienced campaigner who boasts incredible stats as both a reliable wicketkeeper and also a batsman. Rizwan’s ability to perform under pressure and his understanding of the game are instrumental in guiding Pakistan’s bowling unit. Additionally, his partnership with Babar Azam at the top of the order is a critical component of Pakistan’s batting strategy.
The Bowlers
Pakistan has one of the strongest bowling lineups in the T20 format. The team has proficient pacers and spinners. Each bowler on the team is an asset and has shown good performance on the pitch. Shaheen Afridi, the left-arm fast bowler, is the spearhead of the attack. Known for his ability to swing the ball at pace, Shaheen can trouble the best batsmen in the world. His knack for taking wickets in the powerplay overs gives Pakistan an early advantage. The youngster has 91 wickets in the 66 games he has played and an economy of 7.21. He is a threat to any batsman on the field.
Haris Rauf, with his express pace and lethal yorkers, is a potent weapon in the death overs. He has 95 wickets in the 65 T20is he has played in. Naseem Shah adds further firepower with his raw pace and ability to generate bounce. Hasan Ali, with his experience and knack for picking up crucial wickets, provides depth to the pace attack.
In the spin department, Shadab Khan’s leg-spin offers variations that can trouble batsmen in the middle overs. Imad Wasim’s left-arm orthodox spin offers control and the ability to bowl in the powerplay, adding to the team’s strategic options.
The Ideal Playing XI
Pakistan has some very strong players to play off of. However, based on recent performances the ideal playing XI is:
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
The team is balanced with both strong hard hitters and a mix of both good spin and pace bowlers. Babar can lead these XI to play both an aggressive run chase and a slower-paced defensive play.
Pakistan Placement Prediction
We predict that Pakistan will make it to the Semi-Finals in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan is in group A of the tournament. They are joined by India, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA. The group stage will be a breeze for the men in green with their biggest threat being their arch nemesis India. The Super Eight will likely be an easy round for Pakistan as well due to their incredible performance in T20 cricket. Moreover, Pakistan’s experience in dealing with pressure situations, their ability to adapt to different conditions, and the presence of match-winners in both batting and bowling make them a formidable contender.
With a well-balanced squad featuring a blend of experienced players and promising youth, Pakistan is poised to make a significant impact. Their strong batting and bowling lineup makes them serious contenders, aiming to reach the finals and clinch the title. Keep an eye on Pakistan, as they are well-prepared and determined to excel in the T20 World Cup. Their first game is against co-hosts USA on 6 June 2024.
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- Over 50,000 events per month
- Flexible payment modes
- Easy navigation
- VIP program