“Take out your frustration in the coming World Cup by performing well,” what newly appointed chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) board Ramiz Raja had advised Babar Azam & Co. after New Zealand abruptly ended their historic tour to Pakistan. For a young Babar, the message from the Pakistani Awam (public) is loud and clear – overcome the recent struggles and deliver Pakistan its second T20I World Cup title in November.
India might have the bragging rights over Pakistan when it comes to contesting the World Cup but the Green Army have performed exceptionally well in the shortest format. After playing an epic final against arch-rivals India, the Asian giants tasted T20I glory in the 2009 edition. Shahid Afridi-inspired Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka to clinch their maiden T20I World title at Lord’s.
Pakistan entered the semis in the 2010 edition but the Green Army failed to defend their crown. While Sri Lanka ended Pakistan’s campaign in the semi-finals of the 2012 edition, the one-time champions crashed out of the 2014 World Cup before entering the last four stage of the showpiece event. Afridi had failed to inspire Pakistan to the knockout stage as the Green Army suffered another premature exit at the World Cup in 2016.
Key players at ICC World T20:
Pakistan had made three changes to their 15-member squad in the build-up to the ICC World T20. Captain fantastic Azam will be Pakistan’s go-to man at the T20 World Cup. Vice-captain Shadab Khan, premier batsman Haider Ali and pace ace Hasan Ali are automatic starters in Pakistan’s promising side. Babar & Co. will also bank on experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik who recently replaced Sohaib Maqsood in the squad. Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi can rattle any world-class batting lineup with their lethal pace and pin-point accuracy.
Pakistan’s schedule at T20 World Cup:
1) India vs Pakistan in Dubai (October 24 at 7:30 PM IST)
2) Pakistan vs New Zealand in Sharjah (October 26 at 7:30 PM IST
3) Pakistan vs Afghanistan in Dubai (October 29 at 7:30 PM IST)
4) Pakistan vs A2 (Qualified team from Group A) in Abu Dhabi (November 2 at 7:30 PM)
5) Pakistan vs B1 (Qualified team from Group B) in Sharjah (November 7 at 7:30 PM)
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood.
Traveling reserves: Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.
Strongest starting XI: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
