Indian commentator, Harsha Bhogle, has emphasized the importance of a solid opening partnership and effective spin bowling for Pakistan in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
While talking on Cricbuzz, Bhogle highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s opening combination, pinpointing the need for a potent partnership to complement Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.
“There’s always a lot of noise around Pakistan but they need to bat well. There’s far too much talk about Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in that side. I think Babar becomes twice a player if he’s got a really good opening combination ahead of him,” Bhogle said.
Bhogle voiced his support for the current opening duo of Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq, emphasizing the potential impact of their consistent performances at the top of the order. The 62 year old talked about Fakhar Zaman’s form and also underscored the pivotal role Babar will play in shaping Pakistan’s fortunes in the tournament.
“They have the issue with Fakhar Zaman but I actually believe they’ve stumbled onto their best opening combination. Imam has done really well off late but how could they not be playing a player who’s so visibly gifted like Abdullah Shafique. So if Abdullah Shafiq and Imam ul Haq are consistently given them starts then suddenly Babar becomes a different player but there’s no doubt at all, if Pakistan have to make an impact, Babar Azam has to have a big World Cup,” Bhogle asserted.
Bhogle’s discussion also revolved around Pakistan’s middle order and spin bowling department, an area that Bhogle believes holds the key to their success.
“Their middle order is a little iffy. I know Rizwan is around and Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel; they are good players. Can you rely on them to win a World Cup? We’ll wait and see. If they do that’s great for Pakistan. They do bat deep because each of the three spinners that’s picked can bat I think Shadab is a really good batter down that order; Nawaz can bat. Usama Mir, if he’s a leggie he can bat but that is where their problem starts. You normally look at Pakistan and say wow what a good bowling side, but the spinners are not delivering for them in the middle overs,” he further added.
Bhogle drew attention to the pivotal role of Shaheen Afridi, describing him as a linchpin for the team’s bowling efforts.
“Shaheen Afridi in some way is probably even more important than Babar Azam to their chances because when he’s not taking wickets in the first ten overs, you saw in the Asia Cup what happens. If Pakistan doesn’t get wickets in the powerplay, they suddenly look a much flatter bowling side. With South Africa we talked about missing Anrich Nortje, I think Naseem Shah is a big big miss,” he said.
“They need their spinners to do well. I think story for Pakistan will be can they get their openers playing well and can they get their spinners to bowl well in the middle overs,” he concluded.