Problem and Chances of Pakistan winning Champions Trophy.
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1) Introduction
The Pakistan cricket team has, on many occasions, not managed to be consistent; however, they have produced many legends in the game such as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Anwar, Younis Khan, and Shahid Afridi.These players have significantly contributed to the growth of cricket in Pakistan, creating a devoted fan base and transforming the relatively modest Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into a thriving industry.It is undeniable that players and fans have played their role in bringing Pakistan cricket to this status, even though the present team's performance is not too impressive. In this respect, matches featuring India at the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled for Pakistan have been moved outside Pakistan; the matches that are played while events are being held in India are to be shifted out of India.This hybrid model has been mutually agreed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCB as decided by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Now, the issue arises whether the Pakistan team has enough capability to win the Mini World Cup.
2) Absence of batting allrounder
Ever since Pakistan's triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy, mainly due to Sarfaraz Ahmed's outstanding leadership and effective handling of players, Pakistan has been searching for a proper batting all-rounder. Bangladesh has options to choose from several batting all-rounders. This issue needs to be addressed by the PCB because teams around the world are now more in favor of having batting all-rounders than full-time bowlers.India, for example, has been able to include Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja in their side successfully. However, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan are doing excellent work by producing quality talent in this field. PCB's shortcomings are because of a lack of vision, bad management, over-politicization, and a selection process which is carried out for media appeasement and ethnic considerations.This has drastically hampered our advancement in T20 cricket to an extent that Afghanistan can now boastly play against us, being strong in batting all-rounders that can deliver strong performances from positions seven to nine in the batting order.
3) SR is too low and not up the morder Benchmark
Today, the game requires a strike rate of more than 100; however, our players are lacking in this area because they do not have enough technique, skills, and education. However, there is a gradual shift happening because of the PSL, and players are trying to improve in this area.Unfortunately, when they try to adapt, they lose their wickets or the match because this is not their natural playing style, and hence it becomes difficult to implement changes due to foundational issues.In the forthcoming Champions Trophy, it becomes a must for the Pakistan team selectors to include a few new all-rounders with a strike rate above 100 as a standard.This strategy may give Pakistan a great chance, especially when the team is at a vulnerable stage, such as when they are 7 to 8 wickets down, and hence, there's a chance to set or chase a competitive total.
4) Bring back Fakhar and drop Harris Rauf.
Pakistan Cricket Board must restore Fakhar Zaman, for he can certainly bring a match for his side by wining, and he does possess this quality. Fakhar Zaman has been shown several times how he can alter the game when the side is at its most precarious state of losing.He can do so swiftly. About Harris Rauf, his performance has not been fruitful on the pitches in Pakistan and the UAE.Instead of following the status quo, this is the perfect opportunity for the PCB to look out for a potential young fast bowler who can catch the opposition unawares.
5) Conclusion
Being a lover of Pakistan cricket and a proud Pakistani, I look forward to our team's success in all the tournaments, especially the Champions Trophy. The fact, however, is that we are still far from this expectation.As discussed earlier, we have problems with our strike rate, we don't have a good all-rounder, and we face major issues while trying to adapt to a modern way of playing. Therefore, we will forever be the underdogs as we haven't been a consistent team to challenge the stronger ones. Problem and Chances of Pakistan winning Champions Trophy.
