Pakistan captain Babar Azam is positive about his team’s performance in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, which will begin on 17th October in the UAE and Oman. Pakistan is in Group B with India, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.
Over the last few years, the Pakistan squad has looked impressive in the short format, by defeating the best teams such as England, Australia, and the West Indies. Throughout this period, the side has also discovered a few talents, like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
The main element that might assist Pakistan to perform well through T20 World Cup is that all the games will be played in UAE and they are very familiar with the pitch condition and stadiums.
Because the Men in Green have been playing in UAE since 2009, hosting several countries for bilateral series and also hosting the PSL. The side was also placed No.1 in the shortest format for a brief period of time, and based on this – Babar Azam is confident about his side’s chances for success during the T20 World Cup.
“Our record there is excellent, it’s the place where we became world No. 1. The performances we produced, both as a team and individually, show that these conditions really suited us. Our record and consistency there is proof of that. These days we understand teams are playing more positive cricket, and we need to continue to do that, too,” said Azam.
We’re struggling in two areas, middle order and death bowling: Babar Azam
Pakistan is coming off a 1-0 T20I series victory over the West Indies, but they have been defeated 2-1 by England. During that series, the team’s strategies were called into dispute, and fingers were aimed at the player’s pick. Azam also mentioned that middle-order and death bowling are 2 areas that need to be improved.
“We’re struggling in two areas, middle order and death bowling, and have done for some time. We’ve tried different combinations and tried to assess who could suit the team if they played in certain positions. It didn’t work out, unfortunately, but that’s cricket” – Azam said.
Pakistan has already revealed a modified lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which includes: Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Akhtar, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Haider Ali.