Onus on Pakistan Batters to Paper Over Bowling Cracks During World Cup

Onus on Pakistan Batters to Paper Over Bowling Cracks During World Cup
BY Usman October 3, 2023

Bowling has traditionally been Pakistan’s strong suit but since that is unlikely to be the case in India, the onus will be on their batters, skipper Babar Azam in particular, to drive their bid for a second 50-overs World Cup title.

Babar Azam

A month ago, Pakistan was ranked as the best ODI squad, and Babar’s team appeared to be favorites when they started their current Asia Cup campaign.

They were not only knocked from their perch by losses to their bitter rivals India and Sri Lanka in the competition, but they also now have fresh worries.

Naseem Shah, the pace spearhead, suffered a bowling shoulder injury against India and was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup, upending his effective new-ball tandem with Shaheen Afridi.

Hasan Ali was added, although Pakistan would not heavily rely on Afridi to get those early victories.

Even though Pakistan’s spinners, notably vice-captain Shadab Khan, had trouble picking up wickets in the competition, Babar has faith in the individuals who have propelled the team to the top of the rankings.

Before departing for India, Babar remarked, “We know we have lapsed in our fielding and in our ability to take wickets in the middle overs, but we are going to work on it and hopefully will not be repeating them.”

When asked if the 1992 champions would be satisfied with a top-four finish in India, the 28-year-old did not find it funny.

The top four is our modest objective. We want to triumph,” Babar declared.

Pakistan will have their work cut out for them despite the fact that this is not the first World Cup that they have entered feeling a little uneasy.

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