Pakistan cricket team, when we hear this word first thing that comes to our mind is their lethal and speedy bowling attack. Greats like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Amir were enough to give batsman a hard time on the wicket.
Their swing, line and length, accuracy made it almost impossible for a batsman to face them but it’s not them anymore, it’s been a while when these speed guns hanged their boots and have even started nurturing the upcoming talents.
A glance of them can be seen in the current Pakistan bowling attack Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf have been doing good, talking about the last T20 world cup Pakistan defeated India by ten wickets, Pakistan’s bowling played a major role in that match where they rattled India’s top order.
Their bowling line-up looks impressive.
Random statement or informed punt?
The reason why one is compelled to say so is that the Pakistan fast bowling doesn’t only rest on the might of what is essentially a young and brooding attack; the bowling cauldron possesses the bite of spin.
Shadab Khan needs no introduction. The UK-born spinner is perhaps amongst the least appreciated leggies in the game- is he not? At the same time, the name of Usman Qadir, 29 T20I wickets from 23 games already is growing in confidence and performance.
But here’s what many may call the real deal.
With speedsters like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, and with spinners like Usman Qadir, Shadab Khan along with that Mohammad Wasim can bring some medium pace.
They even have Mohammad Nawaz and Khushdil Shah who can provide some left arm orthodox; their bowling looks balanced, which is important in Australian conditions.
But just how’s that?
It’s no secret that Down Under the wickets are fast and teams often prefer playing with an extra bowler.
This line-up carries some experienced players which releases some tension off captain Babar Azam.
Some of them already having played the last World Cup they might know what not to repeat but that was UAE this is Australia, two completely different playing conditions, one offering slow and spinning wickets while other providing bounce and pace with considering the fact UAE was Pakistan’s home ground was for a long time until international cricket had returned to Pakistan.
They had a bit of home advantage too in knowing the wickets better than anyone.
So, what can we expect from this bowling attack?
Australian wickets are definitely going to help them, Pakistani bowlers are tall and are looking fit for the conditions which will provide them with extra pace and bounce and that creates problems for the opposition. Let’s not forget Shahnawaz Dahani although he is a reserved player for them in the world cup but if given a chance, he can prove what he has got, we saw a glimpse of that in the current Asia cup held in UAE.
Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur believes the Pakistan fast bowling attack is amongst the strongest in the tournament. With Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf spearheading the attack Naseem Shah and others can provide good support to them making Pakistan one of the favourites to lift the world cup.
Pakistan would like to erase last year’s memories when Matthew Wade took the game away from them in just 3 balls and they were eliminated in the semis, they will be definitely eyeing to settle some scores.
With all that said only time can tell what will happen but as of now we definitely say Pakistan have got the bowling attack that can win them the world cup with a in-form batting order they have already fancied they chances; it will be interesting to see what combination they play with. Pakistani fans will be travelling to Australia in huge numbers to witness their team play good cricket and make them happy. Time will tell what happens.
