Predicted Pakistan playing XI in next year's World T20

Unpredictability and Pakistan cricket have always been synonymous. They are extremely dangerous when cornered and pretty volatile otherwise. The 2015 World cup was a forgettable one for Pakistan and to worsen things, they ended up getting whitewashed in the series against Bangladesh. A T20 series victory against Sri Lanka relaxed a few nerves in the Pakistani camp.With the 2016 T20 World Cup just around the corner, here’s my take on what could be Pakistan’s playing 11 for the tournament:

#1 Mukhtar Ahmed

Mukhtar Ahmed made his Twenty20 International debut for Pakistan against Bangladesh on 24 April 2015. His first T20 international fifty came in his second match against Zimbabwe on 22 May 2015 for which he was named Man of the Match.

He followed it up with another man of the match performance in the next match. Mukhtar averages 37.60 in the 5 T20’s that he’s played with an impressive strike rate of 144.61, which makes his position certain in the T20 team.

#2 Ahmed Shehzad

Ahmed Shehzad made his T20 debut way back in April 2009 against Australia after which he was dropped from the team only to make a brief comeback in late 2010 against New Zealand. After being sidelined repeatedly, Shehzad bounced back with stellar performances in the year 2013 and has been an integral part of the Pakistan team since then.

However, an average of 27.48 and a strike rate of 116.23 doesn’t really reflect the quality of batting Shehzad is capable of.

#3 Mohammad Hafeez

The Professor walks into the Pakistan T20 team without any doubt. A veteran of 64 T20’s, Hafeez falls at number 4 in the list of highest number of T20’s played by any cricketer. With more than a thousand runs with the bat and 46 wickets to his name, he brings value to the team in all 3 departments of the game.

Hafeez currently holds the number 2 position in the ICC T20 all-rounder rankings. However, Hafeez is facing trouble in getting his bowling action cleared by the ICC.

#4 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik’s career has been nothing less than a roller-coaster ride. From captaining Pakistan for nearly 2 years to being left out of the team for the next few years, Malik has seen it all. Malik made a tremendous comeback to the team last year and has been a regular since then.

With an experience of 63 T20’s under his belt and a bowling economy of just 6.65, the former captain is almost certain to cement his place in the WC T20 team.

#5 Umar Akmal

If there is one cricket player who gets trolled on the internet more often than Rohit Sharma, it is Umar Akmal. And probably for the same reason as well – talent not matching performances.

Akmal announced himself on the T20 stage with some stellar performances in 2009 and drew the highest praise from experts. But he hasn’t been able to perform on a consistent basis in the subsequent years. However, an experience of 63 T20’s might go down in his favour.

#6 Sarfraz Ahmed

As the Wicketkeeper and Vice captain of the team, Sarfraz Ahmed walks into the Pakistan T20 team without much hassle. The right-hand batsman is known for his swashbuckling strokeplay and can be promoted up the order as well, which allows the team to be flexible with their batting line-up.

Sarfraz has played 8 T20 internationals and averages an impressive 42.50. However, he might face some stiff competition from makeshift keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

#7 Shahid Afridi

BOOM BOOM Afridi is probably the first person to walk into the Pakistan T20 team. Afridi was made captain following Pakistan’s early exit from the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh. With 82 matches under his belt, Afridi is the most experienced T20 player on the planet.

A batting strike rate of 147.63 and a bowling economy of 6.59 makes him an invaluable asset to any T20 team. Afridi played a vital role in Pakistan’s victory in the 2009 edition of the World T20.

#8 Imad Wasim

Imad Wasim made history when he became the first man to be born in Wales and go on to play for Pakistan. He made his debut in a T20 clash with Zimbabwe in Lahore in May and followed that with a brace of wickets against Sri Lanka in the ODI’s.

He has impressed with his left-arm orthodox spin in this short spell of time. However, he might face some stiff competition from leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

#9 Wahab Riaz

Who can forget that fiery spell of Wahab Riaz against Australia early this year in the World Cup! Just on that basis, one could back Wahab to make it to the playing 11. With an ability to bowl consistently at a sneering pace of 145-150, Wahab is one of the fastest bowlers around at the present and can add tremendous value to any T20 team.

Wahab has picked 8 wickets in the 9 T20 internationals that he’s played.

#10 Sohail Tanvir

Most of us remember Tanvir as the bowler with an awkward bowling action who burst onto the scene in the inaugral season of the IPL. He finished with 22 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 12.09 and an economy rate of 6.46. Soon, Tanvir was a regular in the Pakistani team but a knee injury in 2010 hampered the progress in his cricket career.

Tanvir is back now with some consistent performances in the domestic T20 Championships in Australia and England.

#11 Mohammad Irfan

His height of 7’1’’ makes him the tallest player to play international cricket. Mohammad Irfan made his T20 debut against India in December 2012 and straightaway gave the likes of Gautam Gambhir a hard time to handle his pace and bounce. However, Irfan hasn’t been able to translate his ODI performances in the T20’s, with just 6 wickets from the 11 T20’s that he’s played.

Regardless, he brings an X-factor to the table which can’t be ignored in an event like the World T20.