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The Pakistani cricket team is one side which never enters any World Cup as the favorites to lift it but they can not be ruled out either. The most mercurial outfit in cricket, Pakistan can be a world beater one day and an ordinary pushover on the next. The current Pakistani ODI team has seen its ups and downs after the victory over India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final in England. The fact that the 2019 World Cup will be held in the same country will give Pakistan a ray of hope.
Pakistan cricket’s golden moment arrived in the year 1992 where the 40-year old influential captain Imran Khan led the team to a World Cup win. Since the victory over England in Australia 27 years ago, Pakistan has appeared in the World Cup final only once. They were dominated by Australia in the 1999 World Cup final and have not made it to the big stage since.
This year, the green nation has a competitive unit with them. Pakistan boasts of a good mix of youth and experience. The batting, bowling and fielding department look formidable on the paper. How they translate their talents in front of the world on the big stage remains to be seen.
These eleven men will be charged with the task of clinching the greatest glory.
#1. Fakhar Zaman
The 28-year old belligerent opener has been a breath of fresh air in the Pakistani batting setup. Zaman became the fastest batsman to score 1000 runs in ODIs. He registered his name into the record books with the innings of 210 not out against Zimbabwe.
Earlier, Zaman had already become Pakistan’s favorite with his stupendous century against arch-rival India in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017.
Fakhar has recently struggled on the South African pitches but he can be backed to perform in the English conditions. Zaman is capable of providing explosive starts and has the ability to play long.
#2. Imam-ul-Haq
Another talented batsman coming through the ranks in Pakistan cricket is Imam-ul-Haq. The bespectacled opener has arrived in style in the ODIs. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew has already scored five centuries and five half-centuries in his brief career of 20 ODIs. The 23-year old left-hander is a part of the world-record 304 runs opening partnership. A lot will be expected from the opening pair of Fakhar and Imam.
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#3. Babar Azam
The most tantalizing prospect to come out from the Pakistani batting department in the last few years is undoubtedly Babar Azam. The 24-year old batsman has been a sensation in white-ball cricket and is improving very quickly in Test cricket as well. In ODIs, Azam has notched up around 2,500 runs in just 56 innings. Of his 10 ODI centuries, three were scored in succession.
Babar currently boasts of a batting average in excess of 50 and batting at number three he will be the most critical batsman for Pakistan.
#4. Mohammad Hafeez
‘The Professor’ is an expert in adapting to the game situation. Mohammad Hafeez is 38 years old, and it certainly will be his last World Cup. Hafeez will be critical in case of an early collapse.
The veteran of 207 ODIs with more than 6,000 runs under his belt will try his best to play through the innings and ensure a fitting end. His experience will help Sarfaraz. Hafeez can bowl his gentle off-breaks though his action has been under the ICC scanner.
#5. Shoaib Malik
Pakistan has another bank of experience batting for them at the number five position. The 36-year-old all-rounder is a formidable cricketer in the white-ball format. The age has not caught up with his fielding and remains sharp as ever in the field.
With more than 7,000 ODI runs in 278 ODIs, Malik will be a mainstay in the Pakistani batting lineup. He can also swing his arm around. Malik announced his Test retirement in 2015 to focus on the 2019 World Cup.
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#6. Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain - Wicketkeeper)
The wicketkeeper-batsman has been under scrutiny for his recent remarks, but he will be at the helm when Pakistan will reach the English shores for the World Cup. Sarfraz was appointed the ODI captain in February 2017 and Champions Trophy victory in June 2017 remains the jewel in his crown.
Ahmed is a capable wicketkeeper and has rescued the Pakistani side with the bat on multiple occasions. The 31-year old has featured in more than 100 ODIs for his nation.
#7. Shadab Khan
A gem discovered in the Pakistan Super League, Shadab Khan is a wonderful talent in a small package. Shadab is just 20 years old and has already established himself into the national team in all three formats.
He is a wristy leg-spinner who can bamboozle the batsmen with his well-disguised googly. Shadab is a useful batsman in the lower middle order which he was proved time and again. The youngster excels in the field and is the currently the best Pakistani fielder in cricket.
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#8. Faheem Ashraf
Another promising youngster coming up from Pakistan is the 25-year old Faheem Ashraf. Ashraf is the rare commodity that every other team will envy. The all-rounder is a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace.
He can trouble any batting lineup with pace and accuracy. He has played only 18 ODIs so far but has already taken a five-for. More importantly, Ashraf is a power-hitter who can be explosive in the death overs. Coming in late, he can be the surprise package in English conditions.
#9. Shaheen Afridi
Young Shaheen Afridi is still finding his feet in international cricket, but he also brings the exuberance of the youth and excitement to the side. The 18-year old was the leading wicket-taker from his side in the Under-19 World Cup and was named as the rising star by ICC.
It did not take long for Shaheen to break into the senior Pakistani team and there too, he has performed very well. Six feet six inches tall bowler is a left-arm seamer and his bowling variety can come handy in the World Cup.
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#10. Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali was adjudged to be the Man of the Series in Pakistan’s victorious campaign of Champions Trophy 2017. He was the leading wicket-taker in the multi-nation tournament. Hasan Ali also became the fastest Pakistani to 50 ODI wickets. The 24-year old was also named the ODI player of the year in 2018 by PCB.
Ali will be the pace spearhead for Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup 2019.
#11. Usman Khan
Another left-arm pace bowler who is brimming with talent. Usman Khan had received a break early in his career but failed to make the most of it. He then returned in a stunning fashion as he registered a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in just 21 balls.
Usman recently impressed with his four-wicket haul in South Africa against the home team. He has also played in the PSL and has represented Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
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