Pakistan lost to Afghanistan in their first warm up game in a close finish, where Afghanistan applauded. Afghanistan with a win against powerful Pakistan felt if they continue playing well then they can bring world cup home. This would be their dream as a newly cricketing nation to win their first world cup. On the other hand, Pakistan will be desperate to beat Bangladesh on May 26 warm up encounter. This is Pakistan’s second warm up game while India lost their first to New Zealand in a one sided battle.
The Pakistan worry factor
The only worry from the Bangladesh team is their fielding and tidy bowling, which Pakistan should know. Bangladesh team can bat well too but it will be hard for them to reach 250 plus against Pakistan. A batting collapse from the Pakistanis will benefit Bangladesh, which Pakistan team is aware of. Babar Azam is Pakistan’s main batsman on whom the batting order revolves to put up a sizable score. If Pakistan is not chasing then they can use their quick bowlers effectively to demolish Bangladesh’s batting line up.
Pakistanis want cricket played at home grounds
As it’s believed that the neighboring nation of India is under tremendous pressure about cricket in their own den. It’s to say that Pakistanis love cricket to be played in their country. Many cricket playing major countries boycotted playing in this country. India is the first to stop their team playing there for their neighbor’s benefit. Repeated requests were done from the neighboring country to India for bilateral series revival but India listened not.
Pakistan team looks good on paper but their best bowler Shaheen Afridi was hammered by the Afghans two days back. His mindset might not be in his favor to bowl better on May 26. The world cup is starting from May 30 and there could be many surprises in the initial stage itself.
Khalid M Raza
