Daily Times

Cricket-starved Pakistan is entering the biggest extravaganza, the World Cup 2015 with a 15-man squad picked after much deliberation by the selectors. The team consists of a combination of experienced and young players. The tag of unpredictability looms large despite the presence of a number of match winning players in the team. The squad contains two openers, four middle order batsmen, five pace bowlers, one spinner, two all-rounders and a wicket-keeper/batsman. The usual finger-pointing and controversies are again at work after the naming of the final team. Overall, the selectors have chosen the best possible lot in view of available resources, talent, form and playing conditions. Plus and minus points do exist for every team and Pakistan is no exception. It is a good sign that Misbah and Junaid Khan have recovered from their injuries while Pakistan will miss the match winning bowling of Saeed Ajmal and the support to him from Hafeez. Surprisingly, Sohail Khan, the seamer, who performed well in the current domestic season, has been given a chance while three talented bowlers, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali have been shown the door. Fawad Alam, another talented player, has also been sacrificed due to the exigencies of ensuring a balanced combination. Talented Ahmad Shahzad and Hafeez are a good choice for opening the innings with promising Sarfraz as an alternative in reserve. In the middle order, experienced players like Misbah and Younas have to carry the responsibility. Both senior players, especially Misbah with his cool temperament, can bring stability to the team’s at times brittle batting. In the area of spin bowling, Shahid Afridi will get good support from Yasir Shah and Haris Sohail. Umar Akmal has been included as a substitute wicketkeeper-cum-batsman. The bouncy pitches of the Australian venues will help Muhammad Irfan and also offer good turn to the leg spinners.

A good bowling attack is the hallmark of Pakistan while the issues of inconsistency in batting and poor fielding still haunt the team. However, the players should focus on their plus points and concentrate on teamwork for winning the coveted World Cup. The controversy-mongers and critics must stop issuing dissenting notes; rather they should encourage the team. Team Pakistan should also display a strong fighting spirit till the last ball. They are required to play as a single unit to win every match. Pakistan has already been facing isolation in cricket as no big team picked up courage to visit it after the deadly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Under these circumstances, it is the hope of cricket lovers in Pakistan that their team brings home laurels from this tournament. Winning the World Cup is the dream of every Pakistani and we must hope that this dream comes true. *