Great Expectations: Pakistan’s Squad For The 2023 ODI World Cup

Pakistan’s squad for the coming world cup, announced on 22nd September 2023, has attracted both appreciation and criticism simultaneously. The decision making wasn’t easy, keeping in mind injuries to a few players, mainly our pacers, Naseem and Haris. Thankfully, Haris Rauf has just passed the fitness test after a scare in the Asia cup. Naseem’s case was, however, badly handled by the team management. It appears that the injury he sustained earlier went undiagnosed and he kept on bowling with the injured shoulder. Thus, aggravating the injury and rendering him unavailable for the world cup.

Let’s start off by talking about our batters in the squad. The lineup looks good on paper when you see the world’s best batter, Baber Azam, leading the side. Alongside him, you have an elegant opener, Imam ul Haq, ranked 5th in the ICC ranking for ODIs. Then you have one of the world best wicket keepers, Muhammad Rizwan, who has the ability to bat at any position. However, he insists on playing at number four.

Already a force in the longest version of cricket, the test cricket, Abdullah Shafique is destined for greater feats in the limited overs’ game. He has the technique and, more importantly, the composure needed to thrive at the highest level. Centuries in almost every test series he has played only bolster his claim. The decision to add him in the squad was purely based on his performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup where he was asked to play at the last moment. With Fakhar Zaman finding it difficult to play the new ball, it won’t be a bad idea to open with Abdullah Shafique and moving Fakhar down the order where the dashing left hander might find the conditions to his liking.

Another very talented batter, Saud Shakeel, made it to the side based on his test performance. Saud Shakeel, with an average of 88 in Tests deserved to be in the squad as he can give you stability in the middle order on those spinning tracks and during a run chase. It’s a pity he wasn’t given a run in the Asia cup. Will he be able to make it to playing XI is unlikely, given Baber’s preference for Salman Ali Agha.

Iftikhar Ahmed is more of a finisher who can change the match in a single over. However, he’s weak against spin bowling but on a given day he can hit sixes almost at will. Fakhar Zaman is probably the only weakling in the batting line up who has been struggling to play the new ball, be it against India or Nepal. Fakhar Zaman needs to sort it out otherwise his opening position could be in danger.

Moving on to the spinners, we have three spinners out of which two are wrist spinners, Shadab khan and Osama Mir. Shadab and Nawaz are both likely to play. But do they have the form to guarantee their places in the playing eleven? No, they don’t. But do we have an alternative arrangement? No, we don’t. But you can’t ignore the threat of a leg spinner and if Shadab gets his line and length right, he can still be a force. Same goes for Nawaz. He needs to keep his cool and keep bowling on the right line and length.

Somebody needs to explain to both Nawaz and Shadab that in order to beat the bat they need to turn the ball. And to turn the ball they have to risk giving it air. We have all the pacers we need. We want our spinners to spin the ball. Otherwise, the good batters in the world cup will not let them settle and Baber could again face the issue of finishing bowling their quotas of overs.

Usama Mir will have to wait for his turn as he would not be the first choice. Agha Slaman and Iftikhar will be the part time offies who can only lend the support to the main bowlers.

Finally, our famed pacers. They have the experience and skills to turn the match on its head in the world cup. Shaheen and Haris Rauf will spearhead the pace attack, barring any injuries. Both are now comfortably settled in their roles. Injury to Nasim has all but guaranteed a place for Wasim Junior in the playing eleven. He has an excellent record in the short format. However, he’ll have to prove himself as he also has not performed up to the mark in recent matches. Hassan Ali is the surprise package in the squad, whose performance has been below par in recent years across all formats. Still our chief selectors and captain have shown trust in him. Nonetheless, Hassan Ali will have to prove his selection, because he was selected over many talented and chance worthy players who have performances in domestic cricket.

All in all, Pakistan’s squad looks good and balanced. Some surprising decisions, like that of Hassan Ali’s inclusion, have got many cricket experts questioning the role of Babar Azam in it and what other options could have been considered. However, as the cliché goes you never know which Pakistani team turns out on the field on a given day, the cornered tigers or the stunned rabbit. But we know this that weaker Pakistani teams have performed heroically in the past.