In the T20 World Cup match versus India, Shaheen will perform at his peak: Babar

ISLAMABAD: At the T20 World Cup in Australia, former champions Pakistan are counting on fit-again pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi to be at his destructive best.
After overcoming a right knee injury sustained in the first Test against Sri Lanka in July, the 22-year-old was permitted to join the team on Tuesday.
He missed the tri-series this week in New Zealand, the T20 series against England, and the Asia Cup.
After a lengthy time of rehabilitation in London, the tall left-arm fast bowler will depart for Australia. He will play two warm-up matches in Brisbane the following week to restore his rhythm, the first of which is against England on Monday.

In order to be ready for their eye-popping opening encounter against India at the expansive Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, which is predicted to draw 90,000 fans, Pakistan will play a final warm-up match against Afghanistan on the following Wednesday.
In the T20 World Cup in Dubai last year, Shaheen destroyed India’s top order by removing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, finishing with scores of 3-31 as Pakistan cruised to a 10-wicket triumph.
Pakistan advanced to the semifinals, where they were defeated by eventual champions Australia, thanks to their first-ever World Cup victory over India.
According to captain Babar Azam, “He has healed nicely, and we are certain that he will be at his best come the India game.”

“Shaheen leads our strong fast bowling attack for us.”
Fakhar Zaman, a top-order batsman who made 55 runs unbeaten against Australia in last year’s semi-final, is also making progress after suffering a knee injury.
The nation’s cricket body announced on Tuesday that Zaman, one of the three traveling reserves for the T20 World Cup, would accompany Shaheen to Brisbane to finish his recovery.
middle order fragility
Since the World Cup last year, Pakistan has defeated Bangladesh and the West Indies in 3-0 T20 series, suffered a lone T20 loss to Australia in Lahore, and advanced to the Asia Cup final in the United Arab Emirates before falling to Sri Lanka.

At home, England won the series 4-3. Prior to Tuesday’s tri-series loss to the Black Caps, Pakistan had won the first two games against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Azam remarked, “Our squad has done well, therefore I am hopeful about our chances in the World Cup.” His team is in Group 2, where the top two teams go to the semifinals, along with India, Bangladesh, South Africa, and two qualifiers.
With the rapidly improving Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Hasnain complementing Shaheen, Pakistan has a strong and diverse bowling assault.
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan, left-armer Mohammad Nawaz, off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed, and leg-spinner Usman Qadir make up the spin quartet.

Although Mohammad Rizwan and the prolific Azam are at the top of the order, Pakistan’s middle order batting has been their weak point.

When they posted 203 to defeat England in Karachi last month, the pair set a global record for the biggest chase without losing a wicket thanks to Azam’s unbeaten 110 and Rizwan’s 88-run opening stand, which was their second double-century opening combination in T20s.
The team’s hitting insufficiency could be made obvious if the tandem falters early.

Azam acknowledges, “Aside from the positives, we had some issues and I think our middle order needs to step up.” He has watched Iftikhar, Shan Masood, Khushdil Shah, Haider Ali, and Asif Ali all receive opportunities but fail to consistently have an impact.

“By sending several batting and bowling combinations, we have evaluated the depth of our bench. Our fielding also needs improvement.”