The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is over in less than two months, and the teams are either done or about to finalize their squads for the big event. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Pakistan wants to emulate the class of 1992 and win the second World Cup when they begin their campaign against West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already shortlisted 23 probables for the tournament, eight of which will not make the cut.
Sarfraz Ahmed
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The skipper will desperately want to build up his team’s Champions Trophy victory in England two years ago, and he’ll know that this is in all likelihood his last chance to win the World Cup.
The skipper is one of the best thinkers in the limited-overs formats, who propose not only winning the Champions Trophy, but also the rise of Pakistan to the top of the T20 rankings.
On a personal level, Sarfaraz has consolidated his place in the last edition and impressed with 49 against South Africa and a century against Ireland. He has a penchant for participating in the big games.
Imam Ul Haq
The left-hander kick-off spoke up emphatically with a century on ODI debut on an international level and has not looked back since then. Although there were several questions about his inclusion in the site because of his relationship with chief constituent Inzamam-ul-Haq, the young opener impressed in the 50s format.
An average of nearly 55 at the top of the innings shows he has both the character and the ability to hit deep. However, the Southpaw still has to appear at the mega-event if he wants to silence his doubters and go into the series that contested Australia in the three ODIs he played.
Mohammad Hafeez
Hafeez is nearing the end of a career that was mainly built as an all-rounder. The right-hander, however, is no longer the force he once had with the ball, and has to rely on his experience and ability to beat to justify his place in the squad.
The veteran, who has just suffered an injury he suffered in the Pakistan Super League, will most likely form the squad if he recovers as expected. An average of less than 28 in England may not be good for reading, and the 38-year-old has to take a step forward if he wants to justify his place on the play list.
Hassan Ali
The right-arm pacemaker will be Pakistan’s biggest stepping stone at the World Cup, especially considering how well it was in England two years ago. Hasan was devastating during the Champions Trophy in the middle of the innings, winning the man of the series for his 13 wickets.
It will be interesting to see how Sarfaraz uses his best-placed ODI bowler and whether he gets the new ball or is entrusted with the older one, as he was in England two years ago.
Fakhar Zaman
The 28-year-old Fakhar is known for his aggressive approach and can be a one-man destruction team when he reaches the tournament. An average of over 53 and a strike rate of almost 100 mean that he is in the forefront in Pakistan, especially given his exploits in England two years ago.
Fakhar looked uncomfortable in his final series against the South African Pacers and also fought in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but should rightly stay in the team considering the destructive capabilities he possesses.
Asif Ali
Due to the lack of power hitter Asif Ali may be able to go to England despite his mixed performances in international cricket.
The Islamabad United batsman has over 130 in the ODIs, even if his average is only 28.57, and he may be the page’s “finisher” in the last 10 games of the game.
His ability to cross the border is unsurpassed on the Pakistani side, and these unique skills should be enough to put him aside, especially given the lack of alternatives to that role.
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir shares opinions like few others, but there is no doubt that under the fire the pacemaker will be an integral part of the Pakistani tempo battery that will take place after the World Cup.
The left-hander has recently been fighting for wickets and has been rested for the series against Australia. However, his exploits in the final against India two years ago have not been forgotten, and Sarfaraz and Arthur will have him in their plans, though they have recently criticized the Karachi pacemaker.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
The teenager plays with pace and accuracy that his young age rejects, but his workload must be carefully weighed, considering how much cricket he has played since he entered the stage at the U19 World Cup last year.
The 19-year-old has a bowling average of less than 20 on ODIs, but could afford a well deserved break for the Australian series. His bravery and ability to take wickets means that he will hopefully play a big role in the World Series for the Men in Green and many more.
Mohammad Hasnain
A controversial decision, considering that the born Hyderabad was born, he is 19 years old and hard to fight in the three ODIs he played against Australia. Its ability to reach speeds of almost 150 km / h, however, means that it can not be ignored.
Sarfaraz may also want to give the young pacemaker a chance, considering how impressed he was under his command during the Quetta Gladiators PSL campaign.
Faheem Ashraf
Faheem Ashraf establishes his place ahead of Junaid Khan and Usman Shinwari for his superior punching and field skills. However, the Islamabad United man in ODIs has a sad strike average of only 13.27.
Pakistan’s inability to score fast on death is no secret, and the left-hander must justify his all-rounder’s day to give Pakistan the firepower needed in the final trials. Faheem remains a handy bowler and a 4.56 economy shows just how smart a bowler is in the last part of the innings.
