In an inspiring run similar to their 1992 World Cup-winningcampaign, Pakistan have won three consecutive games to be alive in the ongoing2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Green Brigade had climbed to the fourth spot inthe points table before England’s 31-run win over India on Sunday pushed theSarfaraz Ahmed-led side a place down.
With a game left, Pakistan still have a chance of making itto the knockouts and former skipper Waqar Younis feels if Sarfaraz’s team enterthe semis, they would be the most dangerous side.
Waqar, however, also pointed out that Pakistan will not onlyhave to win but should also raise the bar in their last league game againstBangladesh.
“It is actually becoming quite scary at this point! Ishistory repeating itself? I have no idea but if Pakistan do make thesemi-finals then they are going to be such a dangerous side. For that to happenthey will need some results to go their way, but most importantly of all theywill have to beat Bangladesh,” Waqar wrote in his ICC Column.
“To beat Bangladesh they will have to play better thanthey managed against Afghanistan. The win over Afghanistan on Sunday was notthe performance of champions and yet, somehow and some way, they are still incontention for a semi-final spot and you can never write them off,” headded.
The 47-year-old also credited bowling all-rounder Imad Wasimfor Pakistan’s three-wicket win over the winless Afghanistan on June 29.
“We were so lucky to escape and survive and still befloating in this World Cup, really it was thanks to Imad Wasim. Unfortunatelyit has always been this way for Pakistan, we don’t seem to be able to find thatcollective consistency,” he expressed.
“But there is no doubting the individual pure talent inour country, look at a guy like Imad who won us that game,” Waqar added.
He also suggested that the team management shouldn’t makemuch changes in the Pakistan playing eleven and should stick to the winningcombination. Waqar also felt that despite opener Fakhar Zaman struggling withthe bat, he should be given more chances.
“We appear to have found a perfect XI at last, and Ihope they (team management) don’t tinker with it anymore. Fakhar Zaman has had apoor tournament but I don’t think it would be right to drop him now,”expressed the former Pakistan skipper.
“He (Fakhar) should be given every chance to come good,and at the same time, just think how much pressure that would put on the playercoming into the side at such an important time,” he backed the openeradding: “Look at the other teams doing well in this World Cup and they aremaking very few changes.”
Placed fifth with nine points, Pakistan will not only haveto register a win against Bangladesh on July 5 but at the same time, will hopethat hosts England lose their last league match against New Zealand as it wouldboost their chance of entering the semis.