Pakistan has always maintained their erratic and uncertain image in front of the cricketing globe. Though they yield a bunch of talents, but in this 2014 ICC World Twenty20 they keep on maintaining a defensive approach. The selection committee sits in the driving seat to hold the team in this way, to put off all the unpredictable legal issues that have hemmed in the team for past one year.
Mohammad Hafeez, the captain of the squad, has deemed the number one spot among all-rounders in Twenty20 formats and nowadays is one of the most consistent players in the shortest format. He has given his squad with lots of surprises such as incorporation of senior veteran Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik.
Pakistan has included for all-rounders, three of them are spinners and this part can be tried out as a plus point for them to play on slow pitches.
Kamran Akmal may captivate the position of wicketkeeper from his brother Umar Akmal, but it has to be seen that in what posture he will fare down to bat for. He may arrive down to open either with Ahmed Shehzad or with Sharjeet Khan or he may come down in the middle order. Hafeez is going to play at no. 3 position and the other potential batsmen such as Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi will fill up the middle order.
Cricket in the shortest format does require hard-hitting batsmen always as well as a consistent one. Sharjeel Khan can be their cardinal in this regard. He is a new comer in Twenty20. He has run only a few T20 matches, but he has already a strike rate of 141.66.
Pakistan has always been recognized for their strong bowling strategies, but in the recent past, they are passing through the troubles with bowlers, particularly with the elders. They could manage to get all the wickets only once in the Asia Cup tournament and that too against Afghanistan. Certainly, they are experiencing the absence of Mohammad Irfan. They are now betting on Umar Gul to show their bowling storm.
The squad did not face Twenty20 matches in the Indian Premier League in recent past. The captain believes that they’re not acting in the IPL may affect them, but it will not get handicapped with regard to World Tweny20 tournament.
They were able to make the final two times in 2007 and 2009 but could defend the title only once, in 2009.
They are taking off their campaign against India in March 21 and they seem quite convinced around the peer. Afterwards, they will face Australia, West Indies, host Bangladesh too.
