5 reasons why Pakistan can win the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy

Australia v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up : News Photo
Can the Pakistan side soar above expectations?

The 2017 Champions Trophy kicks off on June 1 with all the eight teams flexing their muscles in their respective warm-up encounters. Pakistan’s first clash will be against their arch-rivals India to be staged in Birmingham.

With South Africa and Sri Lanka being their other rivals, qualifying for the semis and then winning the title is easier said than done for Pakistan. Also, on paper, the odds are heavily stacked against them and they will be entering the tournament as dark-horses.

However, taking into account their unpredictability, Pakistan can humble oppositions on their day and can be insurmountable. Going into the prestigious event, we take a look at the reasons why Pakistan can win their maiden Champions Trophy.

#5 Pacers to take advantage of English conditions

The Pakistan cricket team has always boasted of robust fast bowlers, taking charge of dismantling opposition with their speed, swing and aggression. The likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Aqib Javed had been a thorn in the flesh of their rivals.

The legacy has been taken forward by several other players since their retirement and the present crop of fast bowlers are also good enough to rip apart teams in any condition. Pitches in England are conducive to fast bowling and Pakistan can reap benefits out of the decks during their Champions Trophy endeavour.

With the likes of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz in their ranks, opposition sides will have their work cut out in facing Pakistan’s pace battery.

#4 The spinners are no pushovers either

ICC Champions Trophy - Pakistan Portrait Session : News Photo
Shadab Khan will hope to announce himself after a good tour of West Indies

Pakistan’s strength in bowling doesn’t end with their fast bowlers and that’s where their variety with the ball comes to the fore. The middle overs are mostly handled by the spinners and Pakistan have quite a few of them to strangle the batsmen during crunch moments of an encounter.

They have a left-arm orthodox spinner in Imad Wasim, a right-arm wrist spinner in Shadab Khan, who had an astonishing debut against West Indies, and there’s also a couple of part-time spinners in Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to chip in with vital overs.

It backs the fact that even in the spin department, the bowling isn’t one dimensional and it possesses several variations to disturb the momentum of the batsman.

#3 A reliable and experienced middle-order

Bangladesh v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up : News Photo
Mohammad Hafeez’s experience will count in the tournament

The opening batsmen in a line-up are of prime importance to give their teams a flying start to their innings when the field is up in the powerplays. However, it’s the middle order batsmen from number three to five who inject solidity to the batting when the runs aren’t always easy to come by in the middle overs.

During Pakistan’s warm-up clash with Bangladesh, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were sent in at number four and five respectively, and they didn’t disappoint one bit with scores of 49 and 72 respectively.

Though Babar Azam wasn’t able to fire against Bangladesh, his batting numbers in One Day Internationals speak about the class and flair of the man from Lahore and his prowess will be pivotal if Pakistan are to make the next stage.

#2 Fahim Ashraf and big hitting

Bangladesh v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up : News Photo
Ashraf’s big hitting could help Pakistan add a few extra runs

No matter how reputed a batting line-up is, if there’s a deficiency of power hitters at the end of an innings, teams might be found wanting at crucial junctures of a game. The Pakistan team, in the recent past, has been facing the issue big time.

Pakistan had players to milk singles and slam the occasional boundary here and there, but they lacked someone who could clear the ropes with disdain. Nevertheless, things have turned for the better as they have found a potential star in Fahim Ashraf.

It was evident from his knock of 64 against Bangladesh that Pakistan has someone to take their rivals’ bowling by the scruff of the neck and he has to come to the party, if Pakistan have to post big totals or chase down mammoth targets.

#1 Sarfraz Ahmed: A level headed captain

Bangladesh v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up : News Photo
Sarfraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed, the wicket-keeper/batsman from Karachi, has time and again showed that he can be an asset to his side courtesy his unruffled mindset towards the game. Quite a few times, he has dragged Pakistan from precarious positions with the help of gutsy knocks.

In 2016, he was handed the leadership mantle of the T20 side and he has lived up to the expectations. After his consistent shows, he was recently appointed as skipper to take charge of Pakistan’s One Day team.

While Pakistan are the favourites to win the Champions Trophy, it’s a great opportunity for Sarfraz and co. to step up to the plate with jaw-dropping performances and upset opposition sides.

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Edited by Staff Editor