All eyes are focused on Pakistan, a nation with a rich history in the game’s shortest format, as the cricket world prepares for the eagerly awaited T20 World Cup in 2024. The “Men in Green,” who won the championship in 2009, have been pursuing the trophy with all of their might ever since.
They even came dangerously close to winning it the year before, losing to England in the final match of the tournament. The current Pakistan cricket team, led by the charismatic Babar Azam, exudes a formidable aura as it combines seasoned veterans with up-and-coming talent.
Critical T20I matches against England and Ireland, as well as the recently finished PSL 2024 season, act as critical benchmarks that will determine how they fare in the approaching World Cup. Here, we examine Pakistan cricket to identify five players who are positioned to make a lasting impression at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Azam Khan:
He emerges as a compelling force in cricket, thrilling fans with his powerful batting ability. Despite appearing in only 11 Pakistani matches, his experience extends beyond borders, as he has demonstrated his abilities in a variety of leagues around the world. He symbolizes youthful talent, having scored 3,231 T20 runs.
His prowess is highlighted by a remarkable century in the game’s shortest format, cementing his reputation as a powerful batsman. Fans are anxious to see his exciting performances across the cricket scene.
Iftikhar Ahmed:
His varied batting and all-around qualities hold substantial potential for Pakistan in upcoming contests in the West Indies and the USA, even after a difficult showing at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Ahmed, who is well-known for his tendency to hit huge balls in death overs, has an impressive T20 strike rate of more than 131.
His latest PSL 2024 performance demonstrated his ability, as he amassed 259 runs from 11 innings at an amazing strike rate of 193.28, the highest among batters with over 100 runs. He hit 17 sixes and 23 boundaries. His off-breaks are also a great asset, since they may secure important breakthroughs when needed.
Abrar Ahmed:
In the upcoming T20 World Cup, Abrar Ahmed, a rising mystery spinner, poses a terrifying menace to batsmen. His bowling is mysterious, and he has only played three games for Pakistan, yet in those three games he took three significant wickets.
His possible influence on the competition could be increased by his relative unfamiliarity with the rival squads. Ahmed’s arrival introduces mystery as an unproven player to the global scene and establishes him as a vital component of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Mohammad Rizwan:
The 32-year-old was Babar’s right-hand man when Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets in 2021, setting a record. In 2022, he again made significant runs as his team finished second in Australia.
The cricket player, who is renowned for defeating the most formidable opponents on the biggest platforms, has amassed over 450 runs at an average of over 41 in just 13 T20 World Cup innings. Similar to captain Babar, Rizwan’s batting performance will potentially decide Pakistan’s fate in the 2024 tournament on the sluggish fields of the USA and the West Indies.
Fakhar Zaman:
Fakhar Zaman is one of Pakistan’s most exciting potentials for success in the 2024 T20 World Cup due to his T20 strike rate of around 135 as a top-order hitter. The explosive southpaw, who destroyed Indian bowlers with a brilliant century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, was a major factor in Pakistan’s previous ICC title victory.
As Pakistan prepares for the global challenge, a finely-tuned Fakhar will once again be expected to crack a few huge hits past the tiny boundaries of the West Indies and USA. Fakhar has experience playing PSL 2024 and T20Is against New Zealand and Ireland right before the World Cup.
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