Even though Pakistan haven’t been in a CWC final for some time they are still a very good tournament team. They are a very well-balanced side, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make it through to the knockout stages. Get the inside scoop on Pakistan's Cricket Squad for the upcoming GameDay Squad competition with an in-depth analysis and preview. Find out who to watch out for!
Squad
Shaheen Afridi – Bowler
Iftikhar Ahmed – All-rounder
Hasan Ali – Bowler
Babar Azam – Batter
Shadab Khan – All-rounder
Usama Mir - Bowler
Mohammad Nawaz – All-rounder
Haris Rauf – Bowler
Mohammad Rizwan – Wicket Keeper
Agha Salman – All-rounder
Abdullah Shafique - Batter
Saud Shakeel – Batter
Imam ul-Haq – Batter
Mohammed Wasim – Bowler
Fakhar Zaman - Batter
Batters
After looking at the recent form for all the Pakistan players with a batter position designation, it isn’t pretty reading. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the batters.
Babar Azam – 54 points
Abdullah Shafique – 30 points
Saud Shakeel – 24 points
Imam ul-Haq – 60 points
Fakhar Zaman – 29 points
Azam and ul-Haq are the pick of the batters for me. They both should be starting in most matches and they are carrying more pre-tournament form than the other batters. Over Azam’s last ten games he has scored two 100s, two 50s and has five scores of 29 or less. Over ul-Haq last ten games he has scored five 50s and four scores of 24 or less. The other three batters only have scored two 50s and 30+ scores over their last 18 innings combined. The last thing I will mention is that Saud Shakeel has bowled the odd over here and there in the past. He might provide some sneaky upside if called upon to roll his arm over during the CWC.
Bowlers
Pakistan goes into the tournament with five players with a bowler position designation in GDS. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the bowlers.
Shaheen Afridi – 85 points
Hasan Ali – 63 points
Usama Mir – 58 points
Haris Rauf – 82 points
Mohammed Wasim – 63 points
Pakistan has a well-balanced bowling attack that will likely be spearheaded by Afridi and Rauf. Over Afridi’s last ten ODSs he has bowled 80.4 overs, taken 20 wickets and averages 3.7 dot balls an over. Over Rauf’s last ten ODSs he has bowled 74.5 overs, taken 23 wickets and averages 3.3 dot balls an over. These two bowlers are the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers for me. Hasan Ali will likely play more matches than Mir and Wasim so I will rank him as my third bowler.
All-rounders
Pakistan doesn’t have as many all-rounders as other teams and head into the tournament with four players that have the all-rounder position designation in GDS. They all spin bowling all-rounders. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the all-rounders.
Iftikhar Ahmed – 68 points
Shadab Khan – 71 points
Mohammad Nawaz – 52 points
Agha Salman – 47 points
When choosing which all-rounder to play in your squad it really depends on where Pakistan is playing, who their opposition is and the pitch conditions. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Pakistan play at least three or possibly all their all-rounders in most of their matches. The batting all-rounders are Ahmed and Salman. The bowling all-rounders are Khan and Nawaz.
Due to recent form Ahmed and Khan are the pick of the all-rounds for me. Over Ahmed’s last ten ODSs he has one 100, one 50, two 30+ scores, three scores between 17-28, bowled 31.4 overs, taken 5 wickets and averages 2.5 dot balls an over. Over Khan’s last ten ODSs he has two 30+ scores, six scores of 21 or less, bowled 81.4 overs, taken 12 wickets and averages 2.8 dot balls an over.
There will be times where both Nawaz and Salman are good starting options in your squad. Keep an eye out for future Pakistan match previews to get a leg up on your competition.
Wicket Keeper
Mohammad Rizwan is the only player from Pakistan that has a wicket keeper position designation in GDS. When applying the GDS scoring to Rizwan’s stats over his last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point average for him.
Mohammad Rizwan – 56 points
Predicted Starting XI
1. Zaman
2. ul-Haq
3. Azam
4. Rizwan
5. Shakeel
6. Ahmed
7. Khan
8. Nawaz
9. Ali
10. Afridi
11. Rauf