SWOT analysis of Pakistan cricket team ahead of ODI World Cup 2023

With the World Cup just a few days away, all the teams are gearing up for the mega event. All the teams have reached India for the marquee event and started playing the warm-up matches. Pakistan Cricket Team did not have a good outing in the recently concluded Asia Cup as they finished in the bottom half of the Super 4.

The Babar Azam-led side reached Hyderabad on Wednesday and they played their first warm-up game against New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. They lost their first match though they had some positives and negatives to take away from the game.

With earlier reports that the team's unity has been a question, their skipper clarified the rumours about his rift with pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pakistan will miss the service of pacer Naseem Shah, as the speedster injured his shoulder in a Super 4 match against India. Ahead of the mega event, let us discuss the SWOT analysis of the team.

Here is the SWOT Analysis for Team Pakistan :

Strength: Explosive batting line-up,

The Men in Green's biggest strength is their batting. With skipper Babar Azam, being the No.1 ODI batter he will be the player to watch out for in the World Cup. The skipper needs to lead the team from the front and score some big runs in the marquee event.

Their other strength is their bowling, though they will miss the service of young pacer, Naseem Shah. But with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, their bowling becomes lethal. Mohammad Wasim Jr. is also the speedster who can create problems for the batters. Afridi's ability to control the new ball and pick up wickets early on in the innings will be crucial for them.

Weakness: Injuries, lack of quality spinners  

Their biggest weakness is their spin bowling department and their middle order. The former World Champion's middle order has not performed in big matches or when required. They have been inconsistent, though wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan scored a century in the warm-up match he has not been consistent in ODIs along with Iftikhar Ahmed, and Salman Ali Agha who have not done enough in the recent series.

Now, the spin bowling department is the weakest part of the side. Vice-captain Shadab Khan has been inconsistent and unable to pick wickets in the middle overs. Letting the runs flow in the middle overs, making it difficult for the pacers to pick wickets at the death. With spin set to play a crucial role on the Indian pitches, Shadab’s form has given the team management a big setback.

Opportunities 

Pakistan has been one of the most consistent sides in the past few years. They were the No.1 ODI side as well a few weeks back. Keeping the sub-continent conditions in mind the 1992 World Champions will surely win an ODI World Cup after 27 years. They entered the tournament as the favourites and some of the experts have predicted an India vs Pakistan game in the final.

Threats 

Their inconsistency has been the biggest threat for the Babar Azam side. The openers most of the time have failed to give a start for Pakistan whenever required. The form of Fakhar Zaman has been a question for the former World Champions. In case the top order fails there is not much experience in the middle order. Most of the Pakistan players have played in India and it will take some time for them to settle down with the conditions.

Pakistan Squad for World Cup 2023:

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim