Pakistan Team analysis for World Cup 2015: Lacks the punching power

Pakistan Team analysis for World Cup 2015: Lacks the punching power: Cricket World Cup is barely a month away. Teams for most of the participating nations have already been announced. Team managements would have started close room discussions to chalk out their strategies. They must have put on their thinking caps to decide the final team combinations.

Crictracker takes this opportunity to analyse each team’s strength, weakness and their chances in the coming World Cup. In the first edition of this series we will deep dive into Pakistan’s 15 squad.

Batting

Let’s first have a look at what Pakistan have in their batting line up. Pakistan has Misbah Ul Haq as captain, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, experienced Younis Khan and youngsters in shape of Haris Sohail and Sohaib Maqsood. Finding a reliable opening pair is Pakistan’s biggest challenge. Several combinations have been tried by Pakistan and still there are no clear outcomes. Shehzad, Hafeez and Sarfraz will be three in contention for the opening slot. In my opinion, Hafeez should start the tournament with Shehzad. Also, Pakistan need to chalk out their batting order in such a manner that Umar Akmal bats no lower than no. 5 so that he spends more time at crease to have an impact.While the middle order has the experience of Younis, Mishbah and energy of Umar Akmal but still Pakistan batting does not look like winning big games under pressure. Having said all that batting has never been Pakistan’s strength and if batters are able to do the decent job of providing good enough support to their bowlers I think Pakistan will be satisfied with their batters. (Also read Pakistan Player by Player WC Analysis)

Bowling

Pakistan pace battery has Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and two rookies in shape of Ehsan Adil and Sohail Khan.  Spin department will be led by seasoned Shahid Afridi and newcomer Yasir Shah. Mohammed Hafeez is not yet cleared by ICC to bowl. Pakistan always expects to set the tone of match by its bowling and this bowling line up clearly lacks experience. Many bowlers in this line up have not even played 10 ODI games and Pakistani’s selectors overlooked the experience of Umar Gul. Pakistan will surely miss the services of Saeed Ajmal who has the ability of baffling the best batsmen in the World. More than lack of experience, this Pakistan bowling line up does not have penetrative teeth to bite the opposition which has always been the USP of every good Pakistani side.

X-Factor

It’s not a player or two who are the X-factors in this team. According to me,it’s the mercurial nature of Pakistani Cricket team which can be a X factor. Despite being not the best of the teams in this tournament, on their day they could bring the best in the world down to their knees. (Here is Pakistan WC Squad)

Best Result

Champions (1992), Runners up (1999)

Overall

After analyzing the Misbah Ul Haq led Pakistani Team well in detail, I don’t see a potential semifinalist in Pakistan.