Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed confident that his side can maintain the positive momentum despite the washed-out game against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood ordered his seamers to unleash the short stuff in today’s final nets session in preparation for a predicted onslaught from England at Trent Bridge.

Pakistan captain feels that his side can recover from the embarassing defeat to the West Indies in the opening game of the ICC World Cup 2019.

Pakistan pacer was optimistic as he reflected over his side's unexpected loss to the West Indies in the tournament opener.

In his first blog for PakPassion.net, Pakistan all-rounder Sohail Tanvir writes about Pakistan’s preparations as they head into the World Cup, his concerns about Pakistan’s new-ball attack, explains why Pakistan’s unpredictable tag could work in their favour and looks forward to an exciting and run-filled World Cup.

Whenever you discuss New Zealand, you always think of them as being 'one of the strong sides'. But the Black Caps are rarely known as the favourites for a world tournament. With teams such as England and India ruling the roost, Kane Williamson's men once again go into the tournament as a team many expect to qualify for the semi-finals, but not a team that's considered likely to win the prestigious trophy. The Black Caps have a leader who is captaining his side in a World Cup for the first time, after the retirement of Brendon McCullum, while the likes of Grant Elliott have also retired. However, with the likes of Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult and Tim Southee still forming the core of the team alongside Kane Williamson, the players will have high expectations from themselves.

If their recent form is any guide, England could well be looking at their maiden World Cup title in 2019. Currently ranked as number in ICC's Rankings for ODI Teams, this side has the firepower and the track-record to take on the very best the world has to offer and are strong contenders to win the ICC tournament.

Given their ranking in ICC’s ODI Rankings, Afghanistan are the true underdogs of this World Cup, but then, who doesn't love an underdog? Many Afghan cricketers learned the game in refugee camps in Pakistan when their families had to immigrate due to Soviet invasion in the 1980s and their progress to qualify for the 10-team ICC tournament is truly remarkable. In recent times, Afghanistan’s World Cup preparations have been far from ideal as the Afghan cricket board decided to replace the national team captain, Asghar Afghan. Afghan had been the captain for all three formats for almost four years. He was replaced by 28-year-old all-rounder Gulbadin Naib who has been in and out the side since he made his debut 10 years ago but given the support he has garnered from his teammates, he could well lead his side to some big achievements in the tournament.