The former skipper of Pakistan Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is also the current selector believes that Pakistan will enter ICC World Cup 2019 as one of the favourites to win the trophy. The statement came after a whitewash against Australian Cricket Team in UAE.
However, speaking of the loss against Australia, Inzamam-ul-Haq quoted that the series against Australia was an experiment. It was done to find their remaining players to fill the slots in Pakistan main team that travels England.
We rested our key players – Inzamam-ul-Haq
He further explained that as many as 10 regular players haven’t played against Australia, as they want to give a proper rest for the team ahead of the major tournament. Even the skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was rested for the series against Australia.
“Against Australia, we had rested seven of our key players (including regular skipper Sarfraz). And in the last two games, we rested around ten of our main players. But the team still fought hard in those matches. That is a very good sign for me. I am confident we will pick a very good team for the World Cup. Pakistan will be among the favourites for the title.
Pakistan will be confident of a good show in England and Wales as they had won the 2017 Champions Trophy at the same venue under the same leader.
The 1992 champions have a habit of bouncing back from big defeats and are often termed as the most ‘unpredictable’ sides in a marquee event like the World Cup.
Recently, Pakistan was bamboozled by Australia in the recently-concluded five-match ODI series in UAE. Coming on the back of a historic ODI series win versus India at their home conditions, the Aaron Finch-led Australian side got the better of Men in Green in all the matches to bolster their chances in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 to be held in England and Wales.
Pakistan will open their campaign versus West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. It will be followed by the games against England, Sri Lanka, Kiwis and then against India. It is still unsure whether the game between Pakistan and India on June 16th will get underway or not.