As we are a few days away from the mega event to begin,every 'cricket pundit ' has started making predictions of who the champion will be.Among the favourites for this World Cup,England,India and Australia,there stands the unpredictable Pakistan,which at any rate,could not be ruled out of this World Cup.
The current champions of ICC-Champions Trophy,2017,this 'unpredictable ' and 'uncertain ' Sarfaraz-XI has the sagacity to beat any team on its day.Pak team knows the art of bouncing back as by using this art,it ruled the world of cricket in 1992.ICC-Champions Trophy,2017, is the latest example where at first,the team seemed nowhere but as the tournament progressed,it was Pakistan which could be seen everywhere.They beard the lion in his den in the semi final and outclassed the defending champions in the final.
However,after champions trophy ,the performance of Pakistan team started deteriorating as Pakistan could not even manage to play the final of Asia Cup,2018.The story doesn't here.Pakistan is coming up in this World Cup with 10 consecutive defeats against SA,Australia and the World Cup hosts,England.That's why many people are under estimating the potential this team really possess.
Under the captaincy of 'lucky ' Sarfaraz Ahmed, this Pak-XI is capable of doing wonders.The top-3 of Pakistan are in sublime form,averaging over 50 each.Fakhar,the fastest to score 1000 ODI runs,is a brilliant explosive opener.Imam-Ul-Haq another solid batsman,has a prolific average of 60.3 in 28 ODI matches.Similarly,Babar Azam, whom the coach Mickey Arthur calls 'Trump card for Pakistan in this World Cup, has proved his class in recently played series against England,where he scored a hundred and two half centuries in 5 matches.With the wicket-taking bowlers like Hassan and Shaheen Shah Afridi,speed-gun' Hasnain',Pakistan 's six machine 'Asif Ali' and having the services of experienced Hafeez and Malik,Pakistan team is ready to lift up another ICC Cup.Furthermore,inclusion of Amir and Wahab at last moment,further strengthened Pakistan team.
Moreover stats speaks for Pakistan.As far as winning any mega ICC event is concerned,Pakistan has always followed a specific chronological order for victory.
Look!Here is how Pakistan won T-20 World Cup and Champions Trophy right after India succeeded in doing so.
ICC t20 World Cup 2007:India (Champion)
ICC t20 World Cup 2009:Pakistan (Champion)
ICC champions trophy 2013:India(Champion)
ICC champions trophy 2017:Pakistan (Champion)
Similarly,here is another stats pack which clarifies how Pakistan won its only ODI World Cup ,in 1992,after India and then Australia cliched the WC title:
ICC ODI World Cup:
1983: India (Champion)
1987: Australia (Champion)
1992:Pakistan (Champion)
2011: India (Champion)
2015: Australia (Champion)
2019: ??? ( Champion)
Could history repeat itself???
Whatever,young and enthusiastic Pakistan team has capability and potential required to become the Champions of the world.The team was the first one to reach England for the World Cup.Pakistan has played a series against England,prior to World Cup ,gained experience of the conditions and surely,the players will carry this experience to the World Cup.
If Pakistan really wants to rule the world of cricket again,it has to beat the favourites-England,India and Australia.The World Cup journey of Pakistan will begin on May,31. Where this journey will end,the time will tell! Whatever,this unpredictable Sarfaraz XI couldn't be ruled out of the World Cup.