Pakistan World Cup squad
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An in-depth look at Pakistan’s World Cup squad

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
One Day International (ODI)
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With the World Cup kicking off, we look at every individual in Pakistan’s squad and how they can immortalise themselves in the tournament’s history…

Cricket has a weird effect on Pakistanis. You’ll find all sorts of fans; from those who watch every single game to those who just care about beating India. However, the World Cup (as with any sport) is a huge deal – and even more so given that it’s the biggest sport in Pakistan in terms of both participation and viewership. Despite the nation’s last World Cup win coming back in 1992, every campaign is covered extensively and Pakistan’s squad selection is always a controversial topic.

Many wouldn’t remember the likes of Iqbal Sikander, Wasim Haider, or Zahid Fazal if they hadn’t been members of the squad that reached the apex of the cricketing world. Keeping that in mind, we’re going to take a look at every player who’s been picked by Pakistan for the tournament. We’ll discuss their strengths, their importance to the team, and how they could be etched into the nation’s history if they lift the trophy at Lord’s on the 14th of July.

Batsmen

Fakhar Zaman (opening batsman)

Fakhar Zaman burst on to the scene in the infamous Champions Trophy triumph of 2017 (also held in England). Scoring a century against India in the final of that tournament was only the beginning for the former navy man. He’s gone on to make Pakistan’s only ODI double hundred and become the fastest to 1000 ODI runs in the game’s history. His swashbuckling batting style, coupled with his useful left-arm spinners and acrobatic fielding, promises to make him one of Pakistan’s most important assets for years to come.

Fakhar has an average of 51 in 36 ODI innings, at a strike rate of 98.14. It’s his approach to scoring that can help him take the game away from the opposition. Given Pakistan’s lack of urgency in that area, his presence in the World Cup squad is pivotal. However, Fakhar has shown he’s prone to bother balls outside off-stump early on in his innings and edge them to the slips. That was on display in 3 of the 5 innings he played against England in the recently concluded ODI series, where his dismissals proved similar. If Pakistan are to do well, Fakhar needs to fire more often than not and he’ll need to carry more responsibility.

Imam-ul-Haq (opening batsman)

Imam became only the second Pakistan batsman to get an ODI century on debut when he amassed a ton against Sri Lanka in October 2017. Throughout Imam’s career, he’s been goaded by the media for being the nephew of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. On the contrary, Imam’s record speaks for itself. He’s the second fastest Pakistani, and the second fastest ever to 1000 ODI runs. He even boasts a remarkable average of 60 in his 28 innings thus far. Imam also has a brilliant conversion rate from fifties to hundreds, pulling off a century 6 out of the 11 times he’s reached 50 in an ODI. Moreover, he’s shown the ability to rally through tough conditions and punish bad balls.

Imam has shown how dangerous he can be on the flat tracks in England this year, getting a 151 against England a couple of weeks ago. He provides a more technical, tempered style of batting to his opening partner and forces the opposition to tackle him differently. For what it’s worth, that’s still a factor in ODIs with the two new balls and fielding restrictions. Much like Fakhar, Imam is very important to Pakistan’s chances. Either him or Fakhar have been the cornerstone in most of the big totals put up by Pakistan in the recent past. As a result, one would expect him to have as big a role as any in potentially bringing the trophy home. The opening pair (or the top four for that matter) pick themselves.

Babar Azam (top-order batsman)

If Fakhar and Imam are considered essential, Babar Azam is an absolutely irreplaceable cog in Pakistan’s machine. Seldom faulted for being selfish and slow, Babar is probably the only batsman in this side that can walk into any team in the world and improve it. That speaks volumes about his quality. However, it’s noteworthy that Babar, while batting at number 3, is ironically the (joint) third fastest to 1000 ODI runs. That means, at the top, Babar completes a trio of batsmen who can hurt any opposition on their day. In his 62 ODI innings, Bobby averages 52 with 12 fifties and 9 hundreds. A crucial top-order asset, he’s also Pakistan’s highest rated batsman going into the tournament, currently ranked 7th in the world.

It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Babar must be among the top scorers in the tournament if Pakistan are to do well. Lacking any obvious technical flaws and possessing a penchant of piling up runs, Babar has shown a tendency to throw his wicket away cheaply. If he can avoid such lapses of concentration, he can prove to be very dangerous. Both hugely important to Pakistan’s World Cup squad, him and Imam played for the Under-19 side just four years ago, and are only 24 and 23 respectively. This illustrates how they can carry Pakistan’s batting for the foreseeable future and the overall potential that the batting line-up possesses.

Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain/wicket-keeper)

Kaptaan is the man whose shoulders bear the burden of expectations. Not only does he possess the gloves, he’s the leader of a team that possesses immense potential. At 32, Sarfaraz has over 10 years of international experience and is already loved by the people of the nation due to his captaincy in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He comes with World Cup winning experience as captain too, having led Pakistan’s U19 squad to the title in 2006. However, the key discussion is about his place in the batting order. Sarfaraz has shown that his strike rotation is amongst the finest in the modern game when playing freely, which raises a problem for Pakistan. At other times, he’s lacked the ability to hit big shots and increase his strike-rate – having last hit an ODI six in January 2018. Hence, many feel he should bat as high as number 4 and back himself till the latter stages of the game.

Historically, he hasn’t come in that early. Despite opening in Australia in 2015, the type of innings he played in the 5th ODI against England is testament to his value. He may be exactly what Pakistan need before the hard-hitters can come in and go berserk. Arguably one of the finest wicket-keepers in the game, he faces pressure to perform with the bat as captain. He’s notched ten fifties in 80 innings, while scoring two hundreds. Undoubtedly, if Sarfaraz performs well with the bat, it’ll do Pakistan a world of good. He isn’t seen as essential to the batting line-up, but will play every game as both wicket-keeper and captain, making his contributions valuable. If he does perform, Pakistani fans could be in store for some mammoth totals.

Haris Sohail (middle-order batsman/slow left-arm)

The case of Haris Sohail has always been a curious one. Still not what you’d call a permanent fixture in the side, Haris has once again established himself as an ever-present member of the squad who may not always be in the starting XI. Having made his debut for Pakistan as far back as 2013, Haris has seen a number of injuries hamper both his progress and the regularity of his appearances for the team. However, he still boasts an average of 48 and got runs against Australia in the UAE while the entire team performed abysmally. He also seems to have a knack of making it to important squads. He was in Pakistan’s 2015 World Cup squad and then returned from injury in time for Pakistan’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign. Similarly, he’s only just made his return from another knee problem by featuring in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in March and following it up with runs against Australia.

A left-handed batsman, he brings variety to the middle-order and can bowl some left-arm spin if needed. Some may say his regular injuries have made it a matter of what if rather than a lost cause, but he’s definitely one of Pakistan’s better options in the middle. He, like the team’s other batsmen, seems to have an issue with increasing his strike-rate late in the innings. However, he’s scored more than fifty 12 times in 31 matches, which shows he’s capable of tallying big scores. His irregularity has pushed him out of favour but he’s a leading candidate to replace Shoaib Malik and presumably Mohammad Hafeez after the World Cup. If he does get the chance, the tournament promises to be a great opportunity to boost his credentials. Whether he gets the chance or makes good on it is another discussion, but he remains a solid option on the bench for Pakistan.

Mohammad Hafeez (backup opener/middle-order batsman/right-arm off-spinner)

He came back from injury just two games ago, but Hafeez carries weight in Pakistan’s World Cup squad. He’s one of three players who’ll be playing a third (or fourth) World Cup for Pakistan in 2019, having played in 2007 and 2011. He was selected in 2015 but got ruled out through injury, and was threatened by a similar situation this year in the PSL. However, he returned for the England series and provides the experience that Pakistan’s chief selector has put so much value on. Starting as an opener, Hafeez has moved down the order as better options have emerged for the slot. He can still do the job there and many say it’s still his best position, but he finds himself coming in at number 5 or 6 due to the team’s requirements.

Formerly ranked the best all-rounder in the world, persistent testing and bans have made the player’s bowling less threatening. However, his economy rate and ability to build pressure remain as strong as ever. He’s also shown he can come in late in the innings to accelerate and Pakistan will need him to do that when and if he plays. More than anything else, Hafeez’s role in the team is based around his experience in the international circuit and his leadership. He’s a former captain of the team, and one with over a decade of experience. In addition to his on-field contributions, Hafeez’s role promises to be enhanced by his off-field antics.

Shoaib Malik (middle-order batsman/right-arm off-spinner)

Shoaib Malik is one man who embodies the spirit of Pakistan cricket. Having been around since 1999, Malik is the longest serving player at this year’s World Cup. He’s batted at every position except number 11 for Pakistan, transforming himself from an off-spinner to a middle-order batsman who can bowl a bit. He’s already announced he’ll retire from ODIs after this tournament and intends to give it his all in the competition. More importantly, Pakistan will hope he’ll do that across all three disciplines. As a batsman, his versatility means he could be sent in at any point – but he may also be required to share the burden of the fifth bowler with Hafeez, Haris, or both.

Such is the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s eleven that Malik, like Hafeez, will have a role both on and off the field. He’ll hope to improve upon a dismal career in England thus far, where he averages under 20. However, he might be the player that pushes the tournament the right way for Pakistan. A former captain and still very fit, Shoaib possesses the talent and experience to come good at a massive tournament. If he does so, he’ll help the collective cause. That’s probably because the recent criticism dished out by fans and experts alike have lowered expectations for him. With that pressure off his shoulders, Pakistan will definitely be hoping he performs the way the public would like. It would do Pakistan’s cause a world of good given his placement in the team.

Asif Ali (middle-order batsman)

Asif is one of the players who’ve replaced another from the original squad announced by the board. Unlike the other two, his inclusion has been recognised as essential to Pakistan given the evolution of the game. In a world where most teams possess players who seemingly hit sixes at will, Asif is probably the only power-hitter among the Pakistani ranks. Dropped from the side after some subpar performances, he was still most people’s pick in the late order due to his destructive abilities. The fact that he’s returned and scored back-to-back half centuries against England, at a rate better than a run-a-ball, reinforces the decision. He’s displayed his potential to take the game away from the opposition with limitless hitting in international T20 leagues and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Even so, that hasn’t translated into consistent success internationally.

That’s the greatest concern for a team whose middle-order struggles to accelerate more than accumulate. Therefore, the Faisalabad native is Pakistan’s greatest hope in that department and everybody will be hoping he kicks on for the team. His psychological frame of mind will also be tested after the tragic passing of his daughter just a week ago. Everyone back home will be praying for his daughter and for Asif Ali, who’s already shown tremendous willpower, to possibly power Pakistan to their second title. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced he can have as much time as he likes to recover as well.

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