Comment: The situation is perfect for a typical Pakistan revival

Sitting at the bottom of Pool B with two losses from two matches, it cannot get much worse for Pakistan, who now must win all of their remaining group matches to be sure of qualification.

One more defeat may seal our fate and lead to a humiliating early exit while our planning and strategy stands exposed from the blunders we made in our matches against India and the West Indies.

What makes the picture even bleaker is the fact that history shows — apart from home side Australia — teams who have chased have won more in Brisbane.

It is an open secret that our batsmen consistently struggle to do well while batting second and chasing has never been our forte.

Our strength is batting first but at the same time, Zimbabwe have shown the depth to do well when batting second in their three matches at the World Cup, so their strength is chasing.

It is not a normal situation and thus requires thinking out of the box. We did not go with a regular opener against India and it backfired, and Nasir Jamshed looked out of place against the West Indies when brought in.

Thus, Pakistan should now gamble with power-hitting Umar Akmal — a player in similar mould of destructive openers Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle and Aaron Finch.

Down the order, Akmal gets out earlier than desired while trying to create space to play his shots. However, it could turn out to be a good move if he opens because his technique is good against the pace bowlers and he likes to take the attack to the opposition.

Akmal knows how to utilise pace and is never afraid to play his shots. Even his mistimed shots could get Pakistan boundaries in the first 10 overs due to the power he possesses and that positivity could have a trickle-down effect.

The touring selection committee should make two changes by dropping out-of-form Younus Khan and Jamshed in favour of Yasir Shah and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has not been among the wickets and Yasir could come in to cover that base. The two leg-spinners can play a pivotal role against the Zimbabweans because the batsmen may lose their wickets going after them.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz has got to come in as we cannot afford to go in again with a makeshift wicketkeeper in Akmal as he drops too many catches.

Some players are just happy to play in the World Cup but knowing Sarfraz, I know he is someone who would only be satisfied if he makes an impact in the tournament.

Our team needs someone with a positive frame of mind and there is no better option available than Sarfraz at the moment and he should have started the tournament in the first place.

The playing eleven will look stronger with Ahmed Shehzad and Akmal as openers, with the middle-order revolving around Haris Sohail, Misbahul Haq, Sohaib Maqsood and Sarfraz. Afridi and Yasir can then be followed by Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and Muhammad Irfan in the batting line-up.

We must not forget that Pakistan have the capability of bouncing back and I hope that the psychological barrier that has affected their performances will be overcome.

The chips are down and our backs are against the wall, and this is where we have most often thrived.

Players need to believe in their own abilities so that they can turn things around even from this situation. If Pakistan can regain confidence, they can go on to beat even South Africa but in order to do so, they first need to back themselves.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2015.

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