ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Strongest Pakistan Playing XI
The Pakistani cricket team is one side which never enters any World Cup as the favorites to lift it but they can not be ruled out either. The most mercurial outfit in cricket, Pakistan can be a world beater one day and an ordinary pushover on the next. The current Pakistani ODI team has seen its ups and downs after the victory over India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final in England. The fact that the 2019 World Cup will be held in the same country will give Pakistan a ray of hope.
Pakistan cricket’s golden moment arrived in the year 1992 where the 40-year old influential captain Imran Khan led the team to a World Cup win. Since the victory over England in Australia 27 years ago, Pakistan has appeared in the World Cup final only once. They were dominated by Australia in the 1999 World Cup final and have not made it to the big stage since.
This year, the green nation has a competitive unit with them. Pakistan boasts of a good mix of youth and experience. The batting, bowling and fielding department look formidable on the paper. How they translate their talents in front of the world on the big stage remains to be seen.
These eleven men will be charged with the task of clinching the greatest glory.
#1. Fakhar Zaman
The 28-year old belligerent opener has been a breath of fresh air in the Pakistani batting setup. Zaman became the fastest batsman to score 1000 runs in ODIs. He registered his name into the record books with the innings of 210 not out against Zimbabwe.
Earlier, Zaman had already become Pakistan’s favorite with his stupendous century against arch-rival India in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017.
Fakhar has recently struggled on the South African pitches but he can be backed to perform in the English conditions. Zaman is capable of providing explosive starts and has the ability to play long.
#2. Imam-ul-Haq
Another talented batsman coming through the ranks in Pakistan cricket is Imam-ul-Haq. The bespectacled opener has arrived in style in the ODIs. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew has already scored five centuries and five half-centuries in his brief career of 20 ODIs. The 23-year old left-hander is a part of the world-record 304 runs opening partnership. A lot will be expected from the opening pair of Fakhar and Imam.
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