The 13th ICC Cricket World Cup finally begins in India on Thursday where the two finalists of the 2019 World Cup England and New Zealand faced each other in the first encounter. Despite a dismal spectators’ attendance in the stadium, it is predicted that almost half of the world would watch the event on television screens.
This is for the first time all of the matches of the mega event would be played in one country. The event comprising 48 matches that would be played on ten different avenues. The final would be played on 19th November at Ahmadabad.
Hot Favorite
Soon after the beginning of the event, Cricket Gurus started whispering about their favorite picks. No doubt all of the 12 teams are optimistic about their winning proportion, however experts believe five teams including India, Pakistan, Australia, England and New Zealand have the ability to reach into the final four.
India has the advantage of home crowd, home ground and Asian condition with a strong batting side comprising Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, emerging talent Shubnam Gill, K.L.Rahul, Pandiya etc. Meanwhile, at present India has the ICC number one ranked bowler Muhammad Siraj who rattled Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final last month. Muhammad Shami, Hardick Pandiya, Jadeja and Kuldeep are some of the bowlers who can make the day for India.
One can’t ignore the Aussies, who usually performed well and out of the box in mega events. It is the reason Australia managed to clinch the mega trophy 5 times out of 12. They have the backing of number one ICC pacer Hazlewood, speedster Micheal Stark, Pat Cummons in the bowling while having a lot of informed batting order in the shape of David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell March, Labuschagne, Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell.
England could be ranged in the same level in the presence of Joe Root, the skipper Jos Buttler, David Malan, Bairstow, Livingstone and Moeen Ali in the batting with some quick pacers including Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Sam Curran backed by the two inform spinners Moeen Ali and Rashid.
Like the other three strong sides, the Kewis are not lagging behind on the leadership of creative Williamson. In bowling they have Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Neesham, Tim Southy while in batting the Kewis have the advantage of inform Devon Conway, talented Rachin Rawnidra, the skipper Williamson, Daryl Mitchel and Tom Latham. An energetic fielding side is a bonus to the kiwis.
Where Did Pakistan Stand?
Like the other strong contenders, cricket experts believe Pakistan Cricket Team has the ability to surprise any team any time. Before the Asia Cup Pakistan ranked number one in the ICC ranking, however its shaky performance has raised some doubts after receiving defeat form the arch rival India and then from Sri Lanka. The national team also lost both of its warm-up games against Ausias and Kewis.
However, it is believed that being the most predictable side in the world, when Pakistan’s performance turns around, then it’s become a side that is unbeatable. But one can’t reply on such ifs and buts in a mega event. The team has to performed well as this time except Netherlands, almost all of the matches would not be just a cup of tea for Pakistan as one can’t ignore Afghanistan, South Africa and even West Indies.
What Pakistan Need?
Recent time shows mostly Pakistan team stumble in the ground due to some poor decisions, particularly these made by the skipper Babar Azam. In Asia Cup Contest with India, Babar Azam and his side misread the pitch and invited India to bat first, whereas the Indian skipper told the commentator Ravi Shastri they if he would have won the toss he would also select to bat first.
Second Babar Azam seems a bit hesitant to rely on spinners as India being a batting paradise, the pacers concede more runs while the spinners have a lot in the pitch. Despite the poor form of Shadab, Babar have to include either Usama Mir or Muhammad Nawaz even in the presence of Shadab and with a proper utilization of Iftikhar from the very start of the tournament. Babar can introduce spinner a bit earlier as the Australian did in the warm up match (Maxwell) to take the wicket of Fakhar Zaman. For pacer when there is no or little advantage, they should just bowl with in the stumps as they have little chance in hitting the deck as the batters could easily read and pick the ball.
Third as obvious from the warm up matches batting first would not be a decent decision as staying on the crease in the second batting it is easy to chase.
Fourth, if included in the playing eleven Fakhar Zaman must be allow to play his natural aggressive game as whenever he remained cautious, he becomes scary in losing his wicket. Proper utilization of Saud Shakil, Muhammad Nawaz and Iftikhar in batting would be a bonus
And last but not the least, Pakistan has to play all of its matches with seriousness and passion as in the last world cup the match against West Indies taunted the side till end of the tournament, where Pakistan was out of the event and in the run for the semifinal due to poor run rate.
