ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan’s SWOT Analysis, Squad, Predictions, Schedule

It has been announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has selected a 15-member squad that will compete in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia starting next month. Fans had a mixed reaction to the team. Despite Shaheen Afridi’s return, a few players raised concerns.
It’s notable that Shan Masood got his first T20I call-up, while Shaheen Afridi made a comeback despite not being fit. As a result of his injury, Mohammad Wasim Jr. has been added to the team. Here is an in-depth analysis of the squad:

Pakistan squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: (changes can be made to the squad till 15 October, without needing the Event Technical Committee’s approval):

Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Asif Ali (Northern), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

Traveling reserves: Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh).

Strengths of the Pakistan Team at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022

Top order is the team’s strength. In the same way that India once had Rohit, Shikhar, and Kohli, Pakistan now has Babar, Rizwan, and Zaman. The batting lineup is held together by these three players.  

At the Asia Cup 2022, the wicket-keeper batsman was the highest run-getter in the tournament. As a result of his innings, he scored 281 runs, including 21 fours and six sixes. It was Babar, however, who scored 68 runs in six innings, despite struggling for runs throughout the innings. There can be no doubt that a player of Babar’s caliber cannot be taken lightly by anyone.

Muhammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan are two of the best spin-bowling all-rounders in the world at the moment. Shadab can also be used as a pinch-hitter if Pakistan so desires.

Weakness of the Pakistan Team at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022

Pakistan’s middle-order is its biggest weakness. In the Asia Cup, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Iftikhar Ahmed all failed to impress. In spite of the fact that Zaman is unable to participate in the T20 World Cup due to an injury, the team selection has been criticized for having a weak middle order. A combination of Shoaib Akhtar and Inzamam-ul-Haq raised their voices in unison, demanding that the middle order be changed. 

 The Pakistanis had names like Shoaib Malik, and Mohammad Hafeez on the roster last time around, but they have now been replaced with less experienced batters. 

Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shahnawaz Dahani are some of the bowlers who bowl fast. It must be a great relief for the team to have Shaheen back in time for the game. There is no name to this attack in the absence of Shaheen, so a mere presence of this attack will not be enough to scare the opposition away.

Prediction for the Pakistan Cricket Team at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022

In Pool B, both the Pakistani Team and the Indian Team will qualify for the Semi-Finals along with the Pakistani team.

Opportunities:

Many opportunities exist. Shan Masood has a great chance to make a big comeback. In Shaheen’s absence, Naseem Shah can impress. Mohammad Nawaz will be responsible for spin bowling. ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is his chance to shine.

Threats:

There is a tendency among Pakistanis to spoil their own parties. There is a clear evidence of this in the way the players choose their shots. It is possible for Pakistan to defeat top contenders like India and England if they stick to the basics and do not try to do anything extravagant. Another threat that Shaheen faces is the lack of game time that he receives. In light of the fact that Shaheen has been out for a long time, this might be a concern for the Pakistan Cricket Team.