The World Cup wouldn’t be a World Cup if Pakistan headed into it with a stable, headaches-free squad. Despite its flaws, the Class of 2022 would still hope to be crowned the world champions, as many of its predecessors did.
Let’s take a look at what we’ve got here and see what we can do with it.
Extra consistency
When Pakistan is on its best form, this is their strength, but when it is on its worst form, it is also their weakness. Among the most consistent players are Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. When you combine Babar’s 43.66 T20I average and Rizwan’s 52.34 T20I average, the result is 95 and change. Most teams would love such a one-two punch, but numbers alone do not always portray the whole picture.
The average strike rate of Babar and Rizwan is 128.85, which means that Pakistan’s score would be 129 after 16.4 overs, if both stay at the crease. Only 20 balls left, but lots of wickets left, the best they could hope for is 170-ish. T20 cricket these days requires a higher total than that.
Due to Babar and Rizwan’s extraordinary batting averages and ordinary strike rates, the best scenario goal of 170 is not arbitrary. At some point, everyone experiences it.
In addition, these two bat so much and for so long that they hinder the development of the later batters, both on and off the field. Babies down low rely on their daddies so much that they never learn on their own.
We’re suggesting Rizwan and Babar should refuse to give others a chance, isn’t it? That is absolutely not the case! Despite the fact that it may cost them a fraction of their consistency, we want them to show greater urgency. The team would be better off if Babar and Rizwan averaged around 40, but their strike rates hovered around 130. It would be much more beneficial for the team to make such a statistical tradeoff.
Rest are inconsistent for Pakistan cricket
There is death, there are taxes, and then there is middle-order disappointment. The following are, with due apologies to Benjamin Franklin, the revised certainties of my life as a Pakistan cricket fan.
The numbers three, four, five, and six continue to be the problematic middle children of Pakistani cricket. Generally speaking, it is inconsistent, prone to failure, and at times, it is just plain ugly to look at.
In spite of many attempts, no remedy has proven effective. Drop Fakhar Zaman, give Khushdil Shah a run, bring back Haider Ali, try Iftikhar Ahmed, they said. Shan Masood’s return at the time seemed a long overdue masterstroke, but it didn’t work either.
In the middle order, Mohammad Nawaz (nothing against him, he’s good) looks like the worst player ever, but whoever is outside is hailed as the solution.
Despite a grand average of 15.48, Asif Ali somehow retains his number six spot series in, series out.
It would be great if we all prayed for each other.
Pre-tournament nerves for Pakistan cricket
Misbah’s scoop shot in 2007, Rahat Ali’s drop catch in 2015, and Hasan Ali’s adaptation in 2021.
World cup players continue to make big mistakes at inopportune times, no matter what kind or format. Some of our players can get caught like a deer in headlights when the lights shine brightest.
What would be the difference between 2022 and 2021? Considering the team’s performance in the Asia Cup final, we shouldn’t hold our breath.
An unreliable think tank
I have said many times before that Babar Azam is almost unquestionable as a batter. Compared to other players, he is in a class by himself. Despite this, Babar is no longer the same captain he used to be. We know he’s not a brave captain from what we’ve seen over the past two years.
Even in the shortest format, he can sometimes go full Misbah and opt for the safest strategy. Mohammad Nawaz’s promotion in the India game during Asia Cup was one of his well-timed calls, but it has been rare.
Added to him is a head coach who waxes philosophical when asked about the team’s performance. Let’s hope Matthew Hayden and Shaun Tait’s influence can offset Saqlain Mushtaq’s lessons on climatic reality.
‘Similarity hunters’
The World Cup 2022 will be held in Australia, where Pakistan won the 50-over World Cup for the first time in 1992. Similarity of land could lead to comparisons being made between the two campaigns all tournament long, creating unnecessary hype and pressure.
We do not hold up well against expectations with our cricket representatives. The result could be a perfect recipe for disaster, which should be avoided at all costs.
