WWT20 TEAM GUIDES: Pakistan, a real outside shot

A key strength of the Pakistan team is their spin bowling. Pakistan have great depth with both off and leg spin. This is vital as the Caribbean pitches are likely to favour turn

Pakistan are led by captain Javeria Khan, who took over duties from Bismah Maroof during her absence from the team due to injury.

While Maroof is back in the team for the T20 World Cup, she has not regained the captaincy. This decision was made to reduce her workload as she continues her comeback from a period of time away from the game.

Form

Pakistan have been busy leading up to the competition with two T20 series against Bangladesh and Australia.

They beat Bangladesh 3-0 with one game being abandoned. Most impressive from Pakistan was their bowling performances.

They dismissed Bangladesh for 30 in the second T20I and 77 in the fourth match of the series, two major confidence-boosters.

However, the roles were reversed against Australia, who completed a 3-0 whitewash and won each game comfortably. 

^{Pakistan are dark horses at the 2018 World T20}

Star players

Bismah Maroof and Sana Mir

Maroof is an established allrounder who has played 88 T20Is. She has scored 1,641 runs at an average of 25.24, a strike rate of just under 90 and with a high score of 65 not out. In addition, she has 18 international half-centuries under her belt.

She has also taken 33 wickets at an economy rate of 5.17 and best figures of 3-21. She is one of Pakistan’s most valuable players.

Mir is a highly experienced player who boasts an impressive record in T20Is. In her 93 matches she has scored 771 runs with a high score of 48 not out. She has also taken 77 wickets at an economy rate of 5.33 and best figures of 4-13. This makes her one of Pakistan’s leading wicket-takers in the T20 format.

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Strengths

A key strength of the Pakistan team is their spin bowling. Pakistan have great depth with both off and leg spin. This is vital as the Caribbean pitches are likely to favour turn and pitches expected to be quite slow.

Anam Amin is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who has made a name for herself as one of the world’s best. In the ICC T20I bowling rankings she is placed No.4. 

Offspinner Nida Dar has taken 80 wickets in 84 T20Is and is eighth in the world rankings.

Weaknesses

A weakness of the Pakistan team is the high frequency of batting collapses. Often if the top order fail to score, there is a lack of support from the middle and lower order. No momentum is gained throughout the innings leading to low scores.

This makes it crucial for the top order to get the innings off to a strong start, giving the team momentum for the middle and lower order to capitalise on. If Pakistan are to be successful in the tournament, they will have to compete with the high T20 scores that are expected in the modern era of women’s cricket.

^{Bismah Mahroof}

Chances of winning

Pakistan have a very tough group and will have to be at the top of their game if they are to compete with the likes of Australia, New Zealand and India. However, they are a team full of potential with players that are getting increased international attention. 

Prediction: Group stage

Bet you didn’t know

Diana Baig has represented Pakistan at both cricket and football.

Fixture list (all UK time): Australia (Nov 9, 8pm), India (Nov 11, 3pm), Ireland (Nov 13, 8pm), New Zealand (Nov 15, 8pm)

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