On their day they can play like the Champs, on other day they may go down like the Minnows. Well this is Pakistan for you. One of the most unpredictable team in this year?s World Cup, ?Team Pakistan ?is feared by most of the opponents. Winners of the 1992 edition and the finalists in the 1999 World Cup, Pakistan has got a pretty decent record in World Cup tournaments. They reached the semi-finals in 1979, 1983 and 1987 editions. However in the last two editions of the world cup played in 2003 and 2007 they have even failed to make it to the knock out stages.
Captained by the mercurial Shahid Afridi, Pakistan has a team that can go all the way in this tournament. Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzaad are the two new openers for this year?s world cup, although they may not be experienced enough but still they have got the required talent. Kamran Akmal who is there No 1 wicket keeper can also float in as an opener if needed. ?Pakistani middle order is a mixture of young, talented and experience players like Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal.
With big -hitters like Afridi, Razzaq and Kamran Akmal in the lower middle order, Pakistan can win matches from almost any stage. Of all the sub-continental teams playing in this year?s World Cup, Pakistan probably has the best line up of fast bowlers. With pacers like Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir in their foray, Pakistan has got a nice combination of speed, swing and reverse swing at their disposal.
Pakistan also has some quality spinners like Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in their squad. Shahid Afridi?s fast leg breaks and Abdul Razzaq?s disciplined line and length add more zip to Pakistan?s already strong bowling line up. However, one major concern is the Pakistan?s fielding which is probably the weakest off all the sub-continental teams participating in this tournament. ?Although never picked up as favorites before any tournament, Pakistan has the ability to surprise everyone with their raw talent.