Pakistan aim to put the outside noise behind them in bid for glory

Snapshot

The uncertainty around whether Pakistan will actually play India has become the most compelling storyline of an otherwise underwhelming build-up to the World Cup. It's usually the India-Pakistan contest that broadcasters and sponsors pay big money for - but not the kind that's unfolding. Less than 24 hours before the tournament begins, the Pakistan Cricket Board continues to threaten forfeiting the marquee clash without formally following through. Pakistan enter the World Cup with chaos - and threats - as the mystery spinner in its squad. Will they follow through on the word of their national government, or they won't, is anyone's guess!

This off-field theatre has become an unfortunate pattern. With each ICC tournament, the actual contest between these arch-rivals grows less competitive and fails to match the hype, while the drama surrounding it intensifies.

If only the cricket could overshadow the noise, on the field, Pakistan arrive with genuine momentum, coming off record-breaking home victories against Australia. They're playing their most dynamic T20 cricket in years, with a unique combination that makes them dangerous. At the World Cup, they will be playing all their matches in Colombo, which gives them the advantage of familiar conditions, and their spin attack poses a serious threat to every contender.

The squad, and what it tells us:

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.

Pakistan have looked past Haris Rauf, and for a change, it won't be Babar Azam or Shaheen Afridi who will steal the limelight in the build-up to a mega event. Pakistan have bet big on their spin-bowling all-rounders. Given the conditions in Sri Lanka, it's an enviable bunch of bowlers to have at their disposal, especially in their current purple patch. It allows them to find place for some explosive hitters at the top, while also ensuring depth in both batting and bowling reserves.

Road to the World Cup

Pakistan have won 27 of their 47 T20Is since the 2024 World Cup. However, several of those victories have come against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Led by a renewed approach since the Asia Cup, there has been a slight change to Pakistan's fortunes in recent months. They haven't been as consistent as they would've liked, but victories against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia augurs well for their confidence.

Last five T20Is: W-L-W-W-W (latest)

The way they play

Pakistan have been playing the most aggressive brand of T20I cricket they have played in a while. The results against Australia in the recently-concluded three-match series is a testimony to what their collective skill can achieve if they play more freely, and not remain over-dependent on a few batters to carry the mantle of big-hitting. Against Australia, they touched the 200-run mark, and even posted 198 in another game. While this improvement in their batting explosiveness has come lately, it's come at a time when other teams are targetting 250-plus totals on a regular basis.

Nonetheless, batting is still their weakest suit. The Salman Agha-led side have been playing a spin-heavy attack in recent games, hedging their bets on four spinners, with the option of adding a fifth or a sixth to the mix. There is no dearth of variety on that front, and for once, given their recent success, the pacers are likely to have a lesser load to carry.

If their spinners can continue to trouble opposition batters the way they did against Australia, the limited explosiveness of their batting wouldn't be much of a worry.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Usman Tariq, the offspinner with a strangely slow load and side-arm action, has been sparingly used by Pakistan in recent games. He could well be the trump card even in a spin-heavy attack. He has shown the tendency to disrupt partnerships and set batters. He has the ability to strike at important phases in the game.

Scheduling

All of Pakistan's matches are scheduled to be played in Colombo, with three of their league matches at the Sinhalese Sports Club. So they would be in an advantageous position with regards to not having to spend long hours travelling, and as the tournament progresses, would be better equipped with the conditions.

Banana peel fixture

If the PCB decides to forfeit the game against India, every contest, and every rainy day, could potentially be a banana-feel fixture. The biggest of their threats would be from USA, a team that beat them in the last World Cup. And just to serve a reminder that it wasn't a fluke, USA beat them again last July. They will serve the biggest threat to Pakistan's campaign this time around as well.

But they won't be the only one. Netherlands have shown the tendency to be giant killers in World Cups, and Namibia have enough talent in their ranks to not be taken lightly. Every game could become a must-win encounter for them.

What a good World Cup looks like

Pakistan have made it to the semis of the T20 World Cup six times - more than any other team in the world. However, much of this was in the early years. Their appearances in the ICC knockouts have been rare in recent times. While they would hope to make the last four, they wouldn't be satisfied if their campaign ended there. A final entry should be the bare minimum target.