Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have supported Pakistan for a good show in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan has played three bilateral series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, which all win. However, the question marks still remain on the team given Absence of opener Sam Ayub And the fact is that he has not played full power sides.
Pakistan is placed with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy and will have a shuttle between their home and Dubai to play the match. Pakistan got the vote of faith from Shastri and Ponting, who talked about the team’s fast bowling.
Speaking on the ICC Review Podcast, Shastri said that Pakistan has a depth to shine in his home conditions and would be even more dangerous when the tournament reaches the semi -finals. Pakistan had a time in the last 2 ICC trophies – ODI and T20 World Cup and would have been looking to make a strong comeback, which returns after a gap of seven and a half years.
“I think Pakistan is a kind of side, which in the last six to eight months with the exposure made by him in white-ball cricket, especially in South Africa,” Said on ICC. Review.
Despite the absence of the injured Ayub, which has become an important party from Pakistan, Shastri is confident in the depth of the team.
“He has missed Ayub at the top, and he is an important player. But Pakistan has enough depth to be dangerous, especially in household conditions. I would say that he should qualify for the semi -finals, and from there, This is anyone’s game, “he said.
Shastri is sure that Pakistan should make it in knockout stages, they will be a malignant threat to any team.
“Pakistan is still very, very dangerous, and if they are eligible, they will be double more dangerous.”
Babar Azam Key for Pakistan: Ponting
Speaking in the same show, former cricketer Ricky Ponting highlighted the quality of Fast Bouler Pakistan and explained that he had skills for any batting line-up.
Ponting said in the same show, “But Pakistan’s fast bowling brigade is very good, very good. Under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi and Nasim Shah, who have been terrible in the recent series, they have any batting line-ups to harass them There is speed and skill of. ” ,
The former batsman, however, argued that it would be senior batsmen – Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s form that will determine the fate of Pakistan in the tournament.
Ponting said, “Babur is slightly up and down in recent years, but if he and (Mohammed) Rizwan can bring their A-Game, when Pakistan becomes incredibly dangerous,” said Ponting.
“They still have found enough high quality players to defeat any team on any day. If they play well, they will be right in it.”
Ponting also accepted the coupled dimension that is playing in front of a house crowd. “The pressure to play at home can work in both ways. It can be a real motivator, especially with a house crowd. This support can help you cross the line in big moments. , “Ponting said.
Pakistan will launch the Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19 before taking a staunch rival India in Dubai on 23 February.
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