Pakistan's stunning win against South Africa

Yesterday, Pakistan's batting display and batting performance were a surprise to many fans, including many cricket experts, national and international. Babar Azam's quick score of 23 in 19 balls set the momentum for Pakistan to chase down 353 runs scored by South Africa.

There is no doubt that Babar Azam is unable to make enough runs as he should, maybe due to the batting position; he is out of form as well, as he is playing as an opener due to Saim Ayub's injuries, and he is currently a makeshift opener for the Pakistan cricket team. Only Fakhar Zaman is the genuine opener of the Pakistan cricket team selected for the Tri-nation series and the Champion Trophy squad. The Pakistan team played like a team in yesterday's match against South Africa, and there were no selfish innings by any team member yesterday. Even Saud Shakeel tried to play aggressively, but he lost his wicket and made only 15 runs.

On the other hand, in the match against South Africa, Pakistan's star performers were Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, who broke partnership records as well, and both scored centuries as well. Yesterday, Pakistani fans thought that it was all over when Fakhar got out for 41 runs, and it was 91/3 for Pakistan's batting innings. Then both Rizwan and Salman played very well under pressure and took Pakistan to the victory line, and now Pakistan will play New Zealand tomorrow for the final of the Tri-Nation series. 

However, there is worry that Shaheen Shah Afridi is not bowling as well as he used to, and he is leaking runs in death overs and getting hammered by any opposition he is facing. Moreover, Abrar Ahmed is not the world-class player PCB is trying to portray, and he is more likely an average spinner. Pakistan should have included Sajid Khan in the Champions Trophy squad instead of Abrar Ahmed, as he is good with the bat as well as with the ball. 

Pakistan's major concern is middle overs, and Pakistan is unable to take wickets at the right time, and usually the opposition is able to keep wickets in hand, and later in death overs they take advantage of the situation and hammer Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan needs to come up with a plan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy event and sort out middle overs issues.