Pakistan tour of Australia 2023

 Australia are the overwhelming favourites to beat Pakistan in the upcoming test series. Australia have home advantage and they look invincible at home.

Pakistan s bowling attack is extremely weak as can be seen with the absence of Shaheen Afridi. They lack an experienced spinner in Abrar Ahmed and their bowling lacks penetration and ability.

In batting they lack a batsmen with an ability to play pace and bounce.

In the end what I will like to say Pakistan will do well if they avoid whitewash against Australia.

Pakistan s chances in World Cup Semis are looking dim

 Pakistan has a dim chance of reaching the semi finals of this World Cup. For this to happen luck will have to favour Pakistan as Pakistan have to hope that Sri Lanka somehow beat New Zealand and Pakistan then go on to beat England in their last preliminary match.

This looks next to impossible as Sri Lanka isn't a team in form and their bowling looks weak. New Zealand is a strong side and had it not rained in their match against Pakistan they would have probably defeated Pakistan.

In the end I would like to say that had umpiring not favoured South Africa in Pakistan s match against South Africa Pakistan would have been in a better situation to reach the Semi Finals. 

Pakistan's performance so far in 2023 World Cup.

 Pakistan has crashed to an embarrassing defeat against India in their third match of the 2023 World Cup. After a promising start to their campaign with wins against Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Pakistan lost by 7 wickets to India without giving India a fight.

Having being 156 for 3 at one stage Pakistan folded for 191 all out with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan scoring half centuries. I am afraid Pakistan depends a lot on Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. There is no reliable batsman other than Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the team. The team has got a fragile middle order.

In bowling we lack a quality spinner and our pace bowlers seem to be out of form lacking penetration.

In the end what I would like to say is that with the current form Pakistan team is in it is highly unlikely they will make it to the semi finals of this World Cup. 

Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

 Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 put in a pathetic performance. They suffered a heavy defeat against India and were defeated by Sri Lanka in super 4 stage of the tournament. They failed to reach the final of the tournament.

There is no use of defeating weak teams like Bangladesh and Nepal. When strong teams like India and Sri Lanka came into competition Pakistan performed poorly. They failed with both bat and ball against India. Against Sri Lanka they should have won but luck was not in their side.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan chances in world cup 2023 are not looking bright as their middle order in batting is weak and they do not have the bowling line up to threaten the opposition because of injuries to key bowlers. 

Review of Pakistan - Afghanistan ODI series 2023

Pakistan whitewashed Afghanistan in the ODI Series 3-0 in Afghanistan's home series held in Sri Lanka. The first and third matches of the series were one sided whereas the Second ODI went right down to the wire.

In the Second ODI Gurbaz scored 151 runs in Afghanistan's mammoth total of 300 for 5 in 50 Overs. Pakistan with the help of Imam-ul Haq and Babar Azam partnership were in control in the chase before Pakistan collapsed and needing 71 runs off only 46 balls with just four wickets standing. Shadab Khan had other ideas and struck a four and six off the last two balls bowled by Abdul Rahman the 49th Over. With 3 needed off last two balls bowled by Farooqi in the final over Naseem Shah struck a boundary to seal Pakistan's win with just one wicket remaining reminiscent of Pakistan's victory over Afghanistan in Twenty20 Over Asia Cup last year.

In the end I would like to say is that Pakistan cricket team is showing never say die attitude and will be very tough to beat in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Review of Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023

 Pakistan test tour of Sri Lanka proved to be a highly successful tour for Pakistan. Pakistan were dominant in both the test matches.

While first test proved to be a close one with Pakistan winning by four wickets Pakistan completely outclassed Sri Lanka in the second test match winning the second test by an innings margin. 

In the end what I would like to say is that this tour has proved that Pakistan have improved a great deal as a test team. They are no longer pushovers in test cricket. 

First test Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2023

 Pakistan emerged victorious in the first test against Sri Lanka. Great batting by Saud Shakeel, hard work, incisive bowling and great fielding and catching were the reasons for Pakistan win.

Inspite of Babar Azam. Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique failing with the bat in both innings Pakistan won. 

Despite having Sri Lanka at 65 for 4 in their first innings Sri Lanka recovered to 312 total in their first innings. 

In the end I would like to say Pakistan have found a great dependable batsman like Saud Shakeel who has had a phenomenal start to his career. Pakistani bowling and fielding was also sharp in the first test but I am not sure Pakistan will win the second test as well as Pakistani teams in recent past tend to relax after a win in their first match. 

Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023

 Sri Lanka start as clear favourites over a struggling Pakistani test side. Sri Lanka not only hold the edge over a pathetic test team like Pakistan but are clear favourites to whitewash Pakistan having home conditions advantage.

Pakistani batsmen play old fashioned defensive cricket which has been replaced by attacking shots type of batting that the English men or Australians play. 

Pakistani bowling lacks experience and penetration. They don't have any quality spinner in their side and Abrar Ahmed is a novice in international cricket. 

I must say Sri Lanka are a better test team than Pakistan and they start the test series as clear favourites over Pakistan. 

Pakistan ranked No.2 ODI team

 Pakistan has been ranked No.2 ODI team in the world according to latest ICC Rankings. Pakistan very briefly for three days were ranked no. 1 ODI team in the world after defeating New Zealand in the 4th ODI played in Pakistan at National cricket Arena in Karachi.

Much to do with Pakistan's success in international cricket is the unity brought by Babar Azam in the team. Babar Azam may not be as shrewd a captain as Sarfraz Ahmed and Imran Khan were at their peak of their captaincy days but Babar Azam has united the team giving respect to both the junior and senior players.

Notable series win by Pakistan's ODI team include defeating Australia 2-1, defeating South Africa 2-1 and recently defeating New Zealand 4-1. Pakistan have been the most consistent ODI team since the last world Cup in England in 2019.

In the end I would like to say that Pakistan is playing like a unit nowadays and there is hardly any weakness in their ODI team.

New Zealand s tour of Pakistan review 2023

 New Zealand s tour of Pakistan proved to be a tough tour for the tourists and a fruitful one for the home team Pakistan. While the twenty20 series proved to be a closely contested one Pakistan completely out played New Zealand in the one day international series leading currently 4-0.

Due to this result at home, Pakistan is the no. 1 ranked ODI team in the world. 

The first three ODI s were closely contested ones while Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by 102 runs in the fourth ODI. 

In the end what I will like to say is that Pakistan in ODI s apparently don't have any weakness and will be one of the favourites  for the upcoming world Cup to be held in India in November 2023.

Pakistan -New Zealand Series Preview 2023

Pakistan's home series against New Zealand will be closely contested one with New Zealand going in to this series as slight favourites over a struggling Pakistani side. I am saying this because Pakistan recently lost an Afghanistan Twenty20 series in Sharjah and their morale will be down whereas New Zealand are coming fresh from their series win in all three formats against Sri Lanka so New Zealand's confidence will be sky high.

Having said that New Zealand will dearly miss the services of their star batsman Kane Williamson who is missing the tour due to injury. Whereas Pakistan are going at full strength with five key players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf returning to their squad.

Pakistan might lose the twenty20 series against New Zealand as the boys arent in form as can be seen in the Afghanistan series but they will give a tough fight to New Zealand in the ODI series. I am saying this because we have quite a brilliant ODI side,

Pakistan - Afghanistan Twenty20 Series Review 2023

 Afghanistan upset Pakistan 2-1 in the Twenty20 Series which was held in Sharjah. Pakistan were playing with a second string squad with five key team members missing and its no wonder that Afghanistan managed to beat Pakistan easily.

The five key members include Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan clearly missed the experience and quality of these five players.

International cricket is no joke and every international series should be taken seriously by PCB. 

On the other hand we did found talented and promising players like Ihsanullah and Saim Ayub in this series. 

In the end what I will like to say is that Pakistan's morale will be down after losing an international series and Pakistani selectors should have selected the best possible team for the Afghanistan International Twenty Series held in Sharjah. 

Pakistan cricket team's chances in 2023 World Cup in India

 Pakistan cricket team's chances in ODI World Cup to be held in India are bright. I am saying this because conditions in India suit Pakistan cricket team and they will find batting easy in India.

They have world class batsmen like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Rizwan in their team. Babar Azam is in the form of his life and can win matches single handedly for Pakistan. There isnt a cleaner striker of the ball than Fakhar Zaman. Muhammad Rizwan is the most dependable and consistent batsman and he is in the form of his life too.

We have some of the fastest bowlers in the world in the form of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Both Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf can bowl at speeds of 150 kilometres per hour. We have spinners who can turn the ball hugely and have variations like Shahdab Khan and Usama Mir.

Overall I must say we have a good all round team and I predict Pakistan to be In Sha Allah one of the           Semi Finalists alongwith India, Australia and England.

Pakistan cricket team in the Year 2022

 

Pakistan cricket team had a mixed year in 2022 with success in white ball cricket and failure in test cricket.

In test  cricket we were defeated by Australia 1-0 in March and by England 3-0 whitewash in December. We just managed to win one test match against Sri Lanka in Galle and that to thanks to Abdullah Shafique century. In test cricket our bowling lacked ability and experience which often left the batters chasing 300 runs plus target in their second innings whch they often failed to chase.

In white ball  cricket Pakistan had a stellar year defeating Australia in ODI series 2-1 and reaching the finals of Asia Cup and World Cup Twenty20 in Twenty20 cricket. The superb form of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan in batting led to Pakistan doing so well in Twenty20 and ODI cricket in the year 2022.

In the end I would like to say that had we selected experienced and deserving cricket players in test cricket especially in bowling then we would have done much better in test cricket in 2022. In twenty20 cricket had luck favoured us we would have won the title in Asia Cup and perhaps so even the World Cup 2022 held in Australia.                                                           

Babar Azam

 

Babar Azam is not only the leading Pakistani batsman but a brilliant captain as well. He is the most successful captain in Pakistani history of cricket with a positive winning percentage of more than fifty percent in all formats of the game. He has more wins than losses in all formats of the game as a captain.

     In test cricket he has led Pakistan to 8 wins and 6 losses which is a pretty decent  record as captain. Those 8 wins include a clean sweep against South Africa at home 2-0 which was Pakistan  first test series win against South Africa  in 18 years.        

As twenty20 captain he has led Pakistan to the finals of Asia Cup and World Cup Twenty20 cricket 2022 last year. He also led Pakistan to the Semi Finals of 2021 Twenty20 World Cup.So that's pretty decent going as a captain.

In ODI cricket he led Pakistan to an ODI series win against Australia which is pretty rare as we rarely win against Australia these days.

In the end I would like to say that Babar Azam has performed pretty well  as a captain and as a player. He didnt let captaincy effect his performance as a player.  I think he should continue to play as a captain.

New Zealand's tour of Pakistan 2022-2023

 

New Zealand despite dominating Pakistan in the first test match drew the first test match with Pakistan. Pakistani bowling really looked inadequate, toothless, unskillful and without any experience and ability. This can be judged by the fact that New Zealand easily scored in excess of 600 runs total in their first innings and even a tailender like Ish Sodhi scored a half century.

I think in the test series Pakistan stand no chance against New Zealand and NewZealand might beat Pakistan 1-0 in the test series. I am saying  this because Pakistan dont have the bowling to get twenty wickets against NewZealand.

In the end I would like to say Pakistan will atleast win one  match against NewZealand hopefully in the ODI series and hopefully the ODI series will be much closer as Pakistan is a good ODI side.