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Next month, India goes head-to-head with their fiercest rivals, Pakistan, in the third game of the tournament. Having clinched the ICC Champions Trophy on English soil in 2017, the 'Men in Green' are highly motivated to replicate that success. Let's dive into their current roster and see how they match up against the Indian side.
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester | Date: June 16th | Start Time: 3:00 PM ISTVenue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Date: 16th June
Time: 3:00 PM IST
The Roster: Sarfaraz Ahmed (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz, Shadab KhanSquad: Sarfaraz Ahmed(c), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan
Team Analysis: This squad is a blend of seasoned veterans and high-potential youth. While they have the raw talent to beat any team in the world on a good day, they often struggle with consistency and fail to meet expectations. The batting and bowling units are predominantly young, with the leadership and experience resting mainly on the shoulders of Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, and Sarfaraz Ahmed.Team overview: The team consists of some experienced veterans and a lot of talented young players. This side can be world beaters on their day but are found guilty of not playing to their potential often. Their bowlers are mostly young and so are their batsmen. Only Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Ahmed are the experienced heads in the team.
Historically, India has dominated Pakistan in ICC events, but the Pakistani side is capable of delivering shocks, as evidenced by the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Their opening and top-order batsmen—Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul-Haq, and Babar Azam—have been in stellar form during their recent clashes with England and will look to carry that momentum into the World Cup.
The bowling attack is promising, featuring young guns like Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Hasnain. While the experienced duo of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz are in the mix, they'll have to compete with the newer talent for a starting spot. English conditions have been tough for bowlers recently, but if the Pakistani seamers can find some swing, they could be devastating.
The main weakness in this lineup is the absence of a world-class, genuine all-rounder. Imad Wasim fills the role, but he isn't quite at a level where he can be fully relied upon in both departments, even if he can occasionally change a game. With Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, and Haris Sohail providing part-time spin options, it will be interesting to see how the captain manages these limited resources.
Key Threats to India: Fakhar Zaman is a primary concern; his ability to demolish any bowling attack is well-known, and his role in India's 2017 Champions Trophy loss is a memory the team won't forget. Shoaib Malik is another challenge given his strong track record against India. Additionally, despite some inconsistent form lately, Mohammad Amir remains a danger man who can rip through the batting order if he gets the ball to swing.Threats to India: A dangerous Fakhar Zaman capable of decimating any bowling lineup in the world is a major threat to India. He was the reason why India lost the final of the Champions Trophy back in 2017 and that will be at the back of their minds. Shoaib Malik also holds a good record against India and they will have to do well to get past him as well. Mohammad Amir has troubled India in the past. Although his recent form hasn’t been great, he can tear apart India’s batting order if he finds even a hint of swing going his way.
Prediction: Beating India requires more than just raw talent; it requires composure and consistency. While Pakistan has the skill, the Indian squad possesses significantly more experience at this level. India may have stumbled once before due to their own errors, but they are unlikely to repeat those mistakes. Consequently, India enters this match as the clear favorite.Predicted outcome: It will require a lot more than just potential to beat India. Whether Pakistan have that in them remains to be seen. Indian players are far more experienced than their Pakistani counterparts. They may have lost once in a crucial encounter due to their own mistakes but India are too good to repeat the same mistakes again. So, an Indian victory is the more probable outcome in this match.
Written by: Prasenjit Dey