Former England cricket stars Nasser Hussain and Eoin Morgan recently delved into the potential performance of Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, offering valuable insights into the team’s strengths and areas needing attention as they prepare for this highly anticipated tournament.
In a discussion on Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain began by praising Pakistan’s impressive bowling prowess, specifically highlighting the formidable seam attack featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. He also lauded the batting skills of key players, including captain Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, emphasizing their consistency in accumulating runs. However, Hussain did express concerns about Pakistan’s spin department, particularly mentioning Shadab Khan’s recent struggles.
Hussain remarked, “At the moment, Shaheen Shah Afridi is fit; Haris Rauf, though, got injured in the previous Asia Cup game, and there are doubts about Naseem Shah’s readiness for the first game of the World Cup. This is an incredibly potent bowling attack, especially those three seamers, combined with the number one ranked batsman, Babar Azam. We know what he’s capable of. While Fakhar Zaman has faced some recent struggles, he’s a top-order batsman. Mohammad Rizwan, partnering with Babar, is a consistent run-getter throughout the innings.”
He added, “One thing that Pakistan is missing, which is somewhat unusual for them, is the form of their spinners. Shadab Khan hasn’t been at his best lately. In a World Cup in India, having that spin threat is crucial. However, Pakistan has a history of being a formidable side in ICC tournaments. They can have their off days, but they can also suddenly hit their stride. That’s the nature of Pakistan’s cricketing spirit.”
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Eoin Morgan echoed Nasser’s observations, expressing confidence in Pakistan’s ability to perform under pressure during critical moments in the tournament. He also emphasized the importance of contributions from the lower order.
Morgan stated, “I believe Pakistan possesses the necessary firepower, which we’ve seen in crucial tournament moments. It should serve as a valuable learning experience for them, especially with the World Cup around the corner. They need to focus on progressing and avoid reverting to their previous performance in Sri Lanka.”
Morgan stressed the significance of building a well-balanced and resilient team capable of seizing opportunities during the World Cup.
“My primary concern for Pakistan is the fitness of their fast bowlers. I think Shadab Khan is a reliable option with his wrist spin. In ICC tournaments, he often emerges as a batter who can also bowl. The fitness levels of players like Faheem Ashraf, who can contribute as an all-rounder at positions 7 or 8, are equally important. It’s not always the top order that scores; you need a balanced team that feels comfortable taking risks,” Morgan concluded.
As Pakistan gears up for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, the insights from these seasoned cricketers provide valuable perspectives on the team’s strengths and areas they should focus on to excel in this prestigious competition.