The question remains whether Pakistan will be able to advance from the T20 World Cup group stage amid all the drama surrounding its India match boycott. The government of Pakistan directed the Pakistan Cricket Team to boycott its match against India on February 15 against its sporting and political archival – a decision that surprise the world of cricket.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha told in reference to the boycott “It’s not our decision, we can not do anything, We will do whatever our government and the chairman (of the Pakistan Cricket Board) tell us.”
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the boycott was a way of showing solidarity with Bangladesh after it was removed from the World Cup.
Opponents and Equations of Pakistan Group A
Apart from India, among Pakistan’s group opponents, the United States eliminated Pakistan in World Cup 2024 in Texas after a thrilling Super Over. Six players – Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi – presented against the U.S.
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The Netherlands also has a history of troubling stronger opponents. In the group, Namibia is the other team. Pakistan can’t afford to lose any of its other group matches, if they proceeds with the boycott. In Sri Lanka, there is rain predicted where Pakistan play all its matches.
Form of Pakistan
Under coach Mike Hesson, a New Zealander who took over last year, Pakistan has been transformed. He has produced an aggressive attitude to finish with stronger T20 nations.
In the last two series of Pakistan, skipper Salman Agha showed strong to score at a brisk pace at No. 3 in Sri Lanka and against Australia at home.
Despite scoring only 202 runs in 11 matches for the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash League, Babar Azam’s experience on slow pitches earned him a place in the squad.
Pakistan plans to continue with opening pair of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, while Babar could play at No.4.
Pakistan is scheduled to play all of its T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, including the semifinal and final if Pakistan goes that far.
