The ODI World Cup 2019 is officially underway with England and South Africa clashing at The Oval on Thursday. Today (Friday), Pakistan will take on West Indies, hoping to end a 10-match losing streak – the joint worst ever, along with the run in 1987-88.
Pakistan have historically enjoyed the status of underdogs going into major tournaments, and similarly dreaded the favourites billing. Ironically it’s this 10-match losing streak that is shrouding the fact that Pakistan actually head into the World Cup better prepared, and in better shape, than they are historically accustomed to.
Pakistan might be entering the World Cup on the back of 10 successive losses, but they’ll also be starting the tournament having played an ODI series against the hosts and favourites England, where they posted a string of scores well in excess of 300.
For parts of the series Pakistan almost matched the English batting, and there aren’t many other sides that can claim that. There definitely aren’t many Pakistani sides of the past that could claim anything remotely close to that.
As discussed in this space, Pakistan strengths and weaknesses seem to have swapped places before the World Cup. In this regard bringing Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir in perhaps makes some sense. Wahab can slog a few with the bat, and can reverse the ball as well. Amir, despite his struggles with wickets, has generally conceded less runs than most.
If the World Cup boils down to who can outbat the other, it will be handy to have bowlers who can bat and seamers who can control the run-rate up top and at the death.
Having said that, the importance of the opening encounter against West Indies cannot be emphasised enough. On paper it should be one of the easier matches for Pakistan at the World Cup, but West Indies are a side that on a given day can outhit just about anybody on the planet. Furthermore, they’re coming off the back off smacking 421 against New Zealand in their final warmup match, while Pakistan lost to Afghanistan after scoring 262 in theirs.
Despite everything being in place for Pakistan, especially in terms of top-order batting, the losing run needs to end against West Indies, or things could get ugly for the side at the World Cup.
Pakistan need to win two out of their first three matches against West Indies, England and Sri Lanka, with the former and latter being against the sides ranked below them. It’s hard to see Pakistan getting the better of England, at the back of a loss against the West Indies – their 11th on the trot.
Losses to start of a major tournament, and you’re already staring down the barrel – unless of course you’re Pakistan from 1992, 2009 or 2017.
Let’s not forget that smaller pools in 2009 and 2017, and unfathomable luck in 1992, helped Pakistan en route to title winning success. In a 10-team pool, where everyone will be playing everyone, only the four consistent sides will make the semifinals and now those that can explode in patches.
As far as consistency is concerned Pakistan have found it at the top of the batting order. The middle order is still unstable, but is likely to feature abundance of experience, even if limited power-hitting ability. For pace bowling Pakistan have already decided to back the tried and tested, with Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim providing diversity in spin and ability with the bat.
Pakistan thrive in adversity, which is precisely what engulfs them before the World Cup. But if Pakistan are to go the distance this time around, they have to do it in an un-Pakistan fashion. Only the steady and steadfast, will survive the pool.
Pakistan have historically enjoyed the status of underdogs going into major tournaments, and similarly dreaded the favourites billing. Ironically it’s this 10-match losing streak that is shrouding the fact that Pakistan actually head into the World Cup better prepared, and in better shape, than they are historically accustomed to.
Pakistan might be entering the World Cup on the back of 10 successive losses, but they’ll also be starting the tournament having played an ODI series against the hosts and favourites England, where they posted a string of scores well in excess of 300.
For parts of the series Pakistan almost matched the English batting, and there aren’t many other sides that can claim that. There definitely aren’t many Pakistani sides of the past that could claim anything remotely close to that.
As discussed in this space, Pakistan strengths and weaknesses seem to have swapped places before the World Cup. In this regard bringing Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir in perhaps makes some sense. Wahab can slog a few with the bat, and can reverse the ball as well. Amir, despite his struggles with wickets, has generally conceded less runs than most.
If the World Cup boils down to who can outbat the other, it will be handy to have bowlers who can bat and seamers who can control the run-rate up top and at the death.
Having said that, the importance of the opening encounter against West Indies cannot be emphasised enough. On paper it should be one of the easier matches for Pakistan at the World Cup, but West Indies are a side that on a given day can outhit just about anybody on the planet. Furthermore, they’re coming off the back off smacking 421 against New Zealand in their final warmup match, while Pakistan lost to Afghanistan after scoring 262 in theirs.
Despite everything being in place for Pakistan, especially in terms of top-order batting, the losing run needs to end against West Indies, or things could get ugly for the side at the World Cup.
Pakistan need to win two out of their first three matches against West Indies, England and Sri Lanka, with the former and latter being against the sides ranked below them. It’s hard to see Pakistan getting the better of England, at the back of a loss against the West Indies – their 11th on the trot.
Losses to start of a major tournament, and you’re already staring down the barrel – unless of course you’re Pakistan from 1992, 2009 or 2017.
Let’s not forget that smaller pools in 2009 and 2017, and unfathomable luck in 1992, helped Pakistan en route to title winning success. In a 10-team pool, where everyone will be playing everyone, only the four consistent sides will make the semifinals and now those that can explode in patches.
As far as consistency is concerned Pakistan have found it at the top of the batting order. The middle order is still unstable, but is likely to feature abundance of experience, even if limited power-hitting ability. For pace bowling Pakistan have already decided to back the tried and tested, with Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim providing diversity in spin and ability with the bat.
Pakistan thrive in adversity, which is precisely what engulfs them before the World Cup. But if Pakistan are to go the distance this time around, they have to do it in an un-Pakistan fashion. Only the steady and steadfast, will survive the pool.