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Pakistan still have a point to prove a year later in Australia.
India to start the last tournament, before being beaten in thrilling fashion at the semi-final stages, Pakistan still have a point to prove a year later in Australia.
Squad
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman. Standby Players: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.
Best Finish at Tournament
Champions (2009)
Coming back from a final defeat to India in the inaugural edition, Pakistan stuck with their vastly experienced side for the 2009 tournament, falling to England in Group Stage action, but progressing through to the Super 8s by virtue of a big win over the Netherlands.
Pakistan fell to Sri Lanka in the next stage, though defeated New Zealand and Ireland to make the semi-finals, where they overcame South Africa.
Fittingly, Pakistan had to overcome Sri Lanka in their second meeting for the trophy. After holding their opponents to 138 at Lord’s, Shahid Afridi’s 54* (40) powered Pakistan to an eight wicket win with eight balls to spare
Results in the last 10 games
W W L W W L L W W L
T20 World Cup 2021 performance
Semi-finalists
For most of the 2021 campaign, Pakistan looked the form side, with their 10-wicket win over India propelling them to favouritism. Strong performances across the Super 12 stage ensure they kept the tag, though a stunning individual batting effort by Matthew Wade in the dying stages stole the semi-final from Babar Azam’s men.
Fixtures
v India (October 23) – Melbourne
v Winner Group B (October 27) – Perth
v Runner-up Group A (October 29) – Perth
v South Africa (November 3) – Sydney
v Bangladesh (November 6) – Adelaide
Key match
v India – A historic rivalry that needs no explanation, this fixture was sold out at a ground fitting 100,000 people in five minutes, and the result will likely dictate both sides’ campaigns.
In ICC global tournaments, history may be against Pakistan, though the last meeting at a T20 World Cup was a heavy win in their favour.
For Pakistan to win, it would likely take a similar effort from the opening pair with the bat, capping off a solid platform made from the bowling group.
Key Player
Babar Azam – In the top three on the men’s MRF Tyres batting rankings in every format, Babar would have to be the most complete batter in the game in 2022. Languid and aesthetically pleasing to the cricket tragic, Babar can also pivot into a more pragmatic, attacking role.
While blessed with a dearth of bowling talent, his changes and field placements will be vital in Pakistan’s quest for tournament supremacy.