As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Pakistan stands poised to make their mark on the grand stage of international cricket. With a squad teeming with talent, experience, and the unbridled enthusiasm of youth, the stage is set for Pakistan to embark on a journey towards World Cup glory.
In this article, we delve into Pakistan’s formidable lineup, dissecting their strengths and assessing their key players who are poised to play pivotal roles in their quest for cricket’s most coveted prize. With Babar Azam at the helm and a dynamic blend of openers, middle-order maestros, spin wizards, and pace demons, Pakistan’s arsenal is well-stocked for the challenges that lie ahead.
Pakistan Squad for the 2023 World Cup:
| Player | Role |
| Babar Azam (captain) | Right-Hand Batter |
| Fakhar Zaman | Left-Hand Batter |
| Shadab Khan (vice-captain) | Right-Arm Leg-Spin/Right-Hand Batter |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Right-Hand Batter |
| Abdullah Shqfique | Right-Hand Batter |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Saud Shakeel | Left-Hand Batter |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | Right-Hand Batter |
| Salma Ali Agha | Right-Hand Batter/ Right-Arm Off-Spin Bowler |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Slow Left-Arm Bowler/ Left-Hand Batter |
| Usman Mir | Right-Arm Leg-Spin Bowler |
| Haris Rauf | Right-Arm Fast Bowler |
| Hasan Ali | Right-Arm Fast Bowler |
| Shaheen Afridi | Left-Arm Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | Right-Arm Fast Bowler/ Right-Hand Batter |
Pakistan’s Best Playing XI for the 2023 World Cup:
Wicketkeeper:
Mohammad Rizwan, in excellent form, assumes the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman in the team. However, his role is even more important since he is the only wicketkeeper in the whole squad. Pakistan will be in deep trouble if he gets injured mid-way through the tournament.
Openers:
In Pakistan’s quest for World Cup glory in 2023, Imam-ul-Haq emerges as the epitome of stability at the top of the batting order. His steady presence instils confidence in the team, as he has demonstrated his ability to anchor innings and weather the early storm of the new ball.
On the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan boasts Fakhar Zaman, a batsman known for his explosive and aggressive style of play. Fakhar’s role in the team is to complement Imam-ul-Haq’s stability with his ability to provide those electrifying and high-scoring starts. His fearless approach to facing bowlers in the powerplay overs can set the tone for Pakistan’s innings and put the opposition on the back foot.
Middle Order:
The heartbeat of Pakistan’s batting lineup, Babar Azam, assumes the pivotal number three position with the responsibility of leading the team from the front. His class and consistency with the willow have earned him the reputation of being one of Pakistan’s premier batsmen. Complementing Babar in the middle order is the wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan and Babar have a great bit of synergy between them and know each other’s batting styles really well.
Salman Ali Agha’s ability to rotate strike, find gaps, and build partnerships makes him an ideal middle-order batsman. His temperament and determination have been on display in domestic cricket, and he now has the opportunity to shine on the international stage. Iftikhar Ahmed’s versatility adds depth to Pakistan’s batting lineup. Not only can he hold the fort in the middle order, but he also brings an extra dimension with his ability to tonk the ball out of the ground.
Also Read:- India’s Best Playing XI for World Cup
Spinners:
Shadab Khan is the primary all-rounder who not only provides a spin option but also contributes significantly with the bat in the lower order. His leg-spin adds variety to Pakistan’s bowling attack, and his ability to deceive batsmen and pick up crucial wickets is invaluable. With the bat, Shadab’s aggressive approach and ability to accelerate the scoring rate make him a vital asset in limited-overs cricket.
Mohammad Nawaz, often hailed as a valuable all-rounder, plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s cricketing setup. His primary strength lies in his left-arm spin, which provides Pakistan with a reliable spin-bowling option. Nawaz’s ability to turn the ball both ways, vary his pace, and maintain a consistent line and length makes him a potent force in the middle overs of an ODI match.
Fast Bowlers:
Pakistan will rely on the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf for this World Cup. It could have been Naseem Shah instead of Hasan Ali but Naseem Shah got injured a couple of weeks before the World Cup. Shaheen’s knack for striking early in the innings has often provided Pakistan with the vital breakthroughs they need. His presence alone can create an air of uncertainty for opposition openers.
Haris Rauf, known for his searing pace and aggressive style of bowling, forms a formidable partnership with Shaheen Afridi. His ability to consistently clock speeds in excess of 140 kph and unleash toe-crushing yorkers in the death overs make him a potent force in limited-overs cricket. Completing the fast-bowling trio is Hasan Ali, a seasoned campaigner in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape. His experience, particularly in crunch situations and during the death overs, is invaluable.
Pakistan’s Best Playing XI for ICC World Cup 2023:
- Imam-ul–Haq
- Fakhar Zaman
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Salam Ali Agha
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Hasan Ali
- Haris Rauf
- Shaheen Afridi
Also Read:- Australia’s Best Playing XI for World Cup
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram