The Pakistan team is known for its unpredicatbility and ability to surprise any team on its given day

By PakPassion Staff (2nd February, 2015)

Pakistan going in to the World Cup are an extremely unsettled unit having lost the last 2 series. The team doesnt have anything to show over the last year or so winning literally nothing in the limited overs format. This is the last World Cup for skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afirid and possibly for Younis Khan too. These 3 players would be looking make a considerable impact and would be crucial to Pakistan's chances.

It will also be important for the youngsters like Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed and Sohaib Maqsood to perform in the middle and lower middle order. 

Pakistan are ranked number seven in ODI's after recent defeats to Australia 3-0 and New Zealand 2-3 , both in the UAE.

World Cup Record:

1975 - (England) First Round

1979 - (England) Semi- Finalist

1983 - (England) Semi-Finalist

1987 - (India/Pakistan) Semi- Finalist

1992 - (Australia/New Zealand) Winners

1996 - (India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka) Quarter-Final

1999 - (England) Runners Up

2003 - (South Africa/Zimbabwe) First Round

2007 - (West Indies) First Round

2011 - (India/Sri Lanka/Bangladesh) Semi- Finalist

Squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan.

Top 3 Players to watch:

Misbah-ul-Haq:

Batting average : 42.97 Strike rate : 73.5

The skipper took over in 2010 in troubled times and since then has held the team together. He is a key player in the middle order and has come to the rescue numrous times to save the team. He still doesn't have a century to his name, so that would also be on top of his mind. Good leadership and batting from him can boost Pakistan's chances.

Shahid Afridi:

Batting average: 23.6 Strike rate : 116.8

Bowling average : 33.9 Economy: 4.6

The all rounder has been around for a few years and is known for his flashy stroke play and ability to change the game. He is in very good batting form which would be handy for Pakistan's fragile line up. Playing his last World Cup he would be keen to make an impact and end his ODI career with a World Cup medal.

His bowling is also very handy and economical. The 10 overs would be important in the middle order along with some partnership breaking wickets. Overall a great tournament for Afridi is a must for Pakistan to succeed. 

Mohammad Irfan:

Bowling average: 30 Economy: 4.9

The 7ft tall bowler is likely to cause a lot of trouble on the bouncy pitches. He has recently recovered from injury and his fragile body would be the only concern. If fully fit he can surely knock over a few top order batsmen. It is still uncertain as to who his new ball partner would be.

Prediction:

The 1992 World Cup winners are an unpredictable side and can beat any team on their day. Their batting line up has been a concern for quite a bit of time now but if the click they can surely beat the top teams. The bowlers will need to exploit the bowling friendly conditions and do their job. Pakistan is not amongst the teams which pundits have chosen as their final four so a quarter-final exit is what is predicted. However as Nasser Hussain once said : "Pakistan with momentum is a beast which cannot be contained." Therefore, if Pakistan can win their opening match against India and use that victory as a springboard to more success, it would be foolish to rule them out even with the fact that they are without key bowlers.

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