Champions Trophy hopes

Standing in Pakistan’s way will be West Indies’ Chris Gayle, a South African team and a clash with India on June 15.

Pakistan’s One-Day International performance has been patchy over the last 12 months — the team has lost more than it has won and the show against Ireland confirmed the presence of cogs that needed heavy oiling. There have also been talks of kinks in the 15-man squad and the dodgy weather looks set to pull the strings but Pakistan start the final edition of the Champions Trophy, which kicks off today and is the only International Cricket Council event they have not won, as worthy contenders. This is not due to form or superior skill-set compared with the opposition but the unpredictability and the sudden — and random — urge to make it happen when it matters. And they can pull off the mightiest of heists on a given day.

The team has stayed clear of controversies ever since Misbahul Haq was appointed captain. He also brought about a calm self-belief, one that has produced unexpected results on the field. However, the English conditions will prove testing for the brittle batting line-up although there exists enough flair to light up the nation’s hopes. Pakistan have a promising top-three even though reliability and consistency are factors missing from there. Later on in the order, Asad Shafiq, Misbah and Shoaib Malik are capable of not only steadying the ship but providing the impetus when needed.

But it is Pakistan’s bowling — Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan — that the nation has rested its hopes in. Young, old, tall, fast, cunning, deceiving and gifted, the bowling line-up is blessed with variety and talent. While experience is lacking in the fast-bowling department, Irfan and Junaid’s show in the last six months has been nothing short of exemplary. What the trio needs though is for vulnerability with the bat to ease off in order to make another semi-final appearance possible. Standing in Pakistan’s way will be West Indies’ Chris Gayle, a South African team that humbled them in the recent Test series and a mouth-watering clash with India on June 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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