Unpredictable Pakistan aim for 'third time lucky' at T20 World Cup

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is hoping it is third time lucky for his side at the Twenty20 World Cup after finishing losing semi-finalists in 2021 and runners-up a year later.

Pakistan Cricket Team (Image Source: Google)

'Every base covered'

Since crashing out of the 50-over World Cup in November last year, Pakistan cricket has undergone a multitude of changes with coaching staff changed twice and the white-ball captaincy changed hands from Azam to Shaheen and back.

A news channel owner, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the country's interior minister, has taken charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Naqvi reconstructed the selection committee, held a training camp at an army base to improve the often vulnerable fitness and brought in former South African opener Gary Kirsten as white-ball coach -- all to improve their chances in the World Cup.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir -- the only surviving member of Pakistan's T20 World Cup title win in England in 2009 -- and spinner Imad Wasim were brought out of retirement to further bolster the bowling attack, spearheaded by Shaheen and fast-rising Naseem Shah.

"My mood is good and my fitness is good and I am looking forward to winning the World Cup," Shaheen told a PCB podcast recently, in spite of reported dissent over the captaincy saga.

"I have good partners and when they do well then you are also motivated."

To spur the players further, Naqvi also announced a $100,000 bonus for each player if they win the World Cup.

Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan supplement Wasim in slow bowling.

"This is the best team with every base covered, so we can win and there should be no excuse," said Shaheen, whose fitness will be the key for Pakistan.

Pakistan's batting approach and lack of consistency are big problems.

While the other teams have started to blast totals over 200 regularly, Pakistan have gone 43 T20Is without achieving that figure.

Pakistan rely heavily on Azam and Mohammad Rizwan who have a world record 10 century partnerships between them.

Dashing left-hander Saim Ayub is set to break up the Azam-Rizwan opening partnership which has been criticised for being too slow.

Star batter Fakhar Zaman, newcomer Usman Khan, Azam Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed form a powerful middle-order, but they have struggled for consistency.

If Pakistan are, indeed, to "return with the trophy", the batters will need to step up and match their bowlers.