Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2011
A month ago everyone would have said that Pakistan did not stand a chance in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011 without the services of their ace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.
However, now looking at the way http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, one is led to think otherwise.
With one match remaining in the six-match National Bank One Day International series, Pakistan has already won the tournament 3-1. This is Pakistan’s first ODI series victory since 2008.
With this triumph, Afridi shunned his critics and the Pakistan Cricket Board retained him as the skipper of the National team for the upcoming World Cup.
Last month, the PCB created a bit of controversy by not naming the captain of the team after it announced the 15-member squad for the World Cup. The rumour was that the 36-year-old middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq would be replacing Afridi.
However, on Friday the team manager Intikhab Alam, announced that the management had indeed decided to retain Afridi as skipper for the World Cup. This was a big confidence boost for the hard hitting batsman.
With the issue of captaincy resolved once and for all, Pakistan should focus their attention towards the mega event which is nearly 15 days away. Pakistan will open their World Cup against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 on 23 February, 2011 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International
Cricket Stadium, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
The 2010 season was a roller coaster ride for Pakistan with allegations and controversies of spot-fixing. Pakistan’s three front-line players, left-handed batsman Salman Butt, left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir and right-arm swing bowler Mohammad Asif were accused
of allegedly taking bribes to bowl no-balls during Pakistan’s tour to England.
The three players were immediately suspended from all formats of cricket in the international and domestic circuit by the International Cricket Council.
PCB suffered a major public relations embarrassment from the controversial spot-fixing fiasco. The ICC forced the PCB to introduce a strict code of conduct for its players. The ICC’s anti-corruption unit was also advised to keep an eye on the activities
of the Pakistan National team.
The three players pleaded their innocence in front of the ICC’s anti-corruption tribunal in Doha, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Qatar-c2986 last month. The verdict of the hearing will be announced on 5 February, 2011. This verdict will decide the future of the trio in the game of cricket.
Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were considered as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s trump cards for the World Cup, and with their omission from the cricketing event of the year, many believe that Pakistan’s chances in the mega event have also been omitted.
However, looking at the performance of Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul in New Zealand, we can assume that these bowlers will be able to fill the shoes of the suspended pacers.
Nevertheless, an addition of Mohammad Amir in the squad will be an added advantage. PCB has already had an understanding with the ICC, that in case the players get acquitted, they would be allowed to make a last minute entry in the World Cup.
Ahmed Shehzad is a pleasant addition in the batting department of the Pakistan outfit. Fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez also seems to be in a great knick. These two openers will most likely give Pakistan a formidable opening stand in the World Cup matches.
The middle order is being spearheaded by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319, he struggled to score runs in the five ODIs in New Zealand. The sixth match will be his last chance
to score some big runs before the World Cup.
At the moment this is the best possible combination of players for Pakistan. It looks like the team is gaining considerable confidence in their ability to win matches. This is very important for the team as they prepare to play against some of the mightiest
teams in the World Cup.
Nothing can be said for sure as to who will lift this year’s World Cup, but it would be a mistake to write-off Pakistan as they seem to be on the road to redemption.
Tags: