The ICC champions trophy is not only extremely crucial for the 8th team in ICC one day ranking Pakistan to qualify for 2019 world but it will decide some of the players’ future as well.
Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain did win the one day series against relatively weaker team West Indies but his test will be against world’s number one South Africa and third best team India.
Pakistan cricket team has got a great challenge to change pattern of old batting trend due to which green shirts gifted many one day and T20 matches to the opponent.
After 2015 world cup Azhar Ali was given the responsibility to lead the team but first time ever in the history of one day cricket Pakistan had to face 3 – 0 white wash against Bangladesh while lost to Australia and England 4 – 1. After these defeats PCB decided to give responsibility of captaincy to Sarfarz Ahmed.
Sarfaraz who is renowned for more aggressive captain than Misbah and Azhar performed well against West Indies and apparently positive change was seen in the team but the question is can he deliver against bigger sides?
Former Players and experts admit that beyond the expectation Pakistan need to play aggressively changing their batting style ans Sarfaraz’s captaincy will be a crucial factor.
Former captain of Pakistan team Ramiz Raja claims that this team has not got the ability to beat the top teams and lakes in power hitting.
Ramiz Raja said that a captain can be as good as the team and the lake of power hitting is seen in this team.
He also said that by playing too many dot balls run rate goes down and I will advice Sarfaraz bring some changes in batting order he (Sarfaraz) himself bat on 4th or 5th number while Shoab Malik and Immad Waseem will need to play aggressively.
Ramiz said that in order to win the game the wickets need to be taken by new ball. Sarfaraz will have to control his emotions.
Sarfaraz Ahmed said that being number eight team does not make any difference and we are very much capable of giving tough time to the oppositions.
He said that we overcame the errors in the camp and our fight will fascinate the other sides.
Pakistan cricket team coach Mickey Arthur said like Ramiz Raja that Pakistan need to improve their batting style which has been going on since 90s.
Pakistan bowling looks relatively stronger than batting which has got young talented leg spinner Shadab Khan, Muhammad Amir who swings the ball both ways and Hassan Ali.
Pakistan team has never won the ICC champions trophy 2017 however they qualified for the semi final twice in 2004 and 2009. Pakistan team has got relatively reasonable record with two wins over India in ICC champions trophy and this is the only ICC event in which Pakistan have succeeded to beat India.
Sarfaraz regards Pak – Ind clash as the most crucial game and the win in this match will open the door to perform well in res of the tournament.
Pakistan will also face South Africa on 7th of June and Sri Lanka on 11th of June and two best teams of the group will qualify for the semi final.
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