Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes Babar Azam’s team can reach the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024 and says conditions at the mega event in the West Indies and the United States will suit the team.
Pakistan, under the leadership of head coach Younis Khan, won the Men’s T20 World Cup in England in 2009. They have also been runners-up twice in the tournament, in 2007 and 2022, and reached the quarterfinals in 2010, 2012 and 2021 respectively.
“I think Pakistan should reach the final. The reason is that the conditions (West Indies and USA) suit our team. If you look at the spinners in our team, they are outstanding. They may not be in good form but I know they will get back in form. As for the fast bowlers, they are an incredible attacker. Batting-wise, we are very strong,” Afridi told the ICC.
He is also excited about what Pakistan’s fast bowlers can achieve in the T20 World Cup. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will be spearheading Pakistan’s fast attack along with Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi and Mohammed Amir.
“I don’t think any cricket team in the world has such a strong bowling line-up. All our four fast bowlers are technically good and even the bowler on the bench like Abbas (Afridi) is technically good at bowling the slow ball.”
“Such skilled players will perform well when they go to the World Cup and face world-class batsmen. Also, all the players named have a huge responsibility on them,” he added.
Afridi also hopes that Pakistan’s batting line-up will achieve a higher strike rate in the tournament: “What I am concerned about is the strike rate of the batsmen, especially between the seventh and 13th overs. Hopefully the strike rate will improve at that stage. In terms of runs per over, we need eight to nine runs per over but still Pakistan are my favourites.”
Afridi was reluctant to pinpoint just one player as key to Pakistan’s success in the tournament, but was keen to see Babar return as Pakistan’s captain and lead the team from the front.
“All the players in the team are important. But if you look at their recent performances, Babar (Azam), (Mohammed) Rizwan, Fakhar (Zaman), Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shadab (Khan) have all played important roles and will be key (for Pakistan) in the World Cup.”
“But if I have to pick one, I will choose captain Babar Azam because he is a leader. I want him to perform well and take timely decisions that will lead the team to victory,” he concluded.
