Former India coach Ravi Shastri and Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan to qualify for the knockouts of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan will enter the event as defending champions. They’ve defeated their arch-rivals India within the ultimate in 2017. Pakistan will start their Champions Trophy marketing campaign in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi on Februrary 19 earlier than taking over arch rivals India on February 23 in Dubai
“I feel Pakistan are the form of facet that, with the publicity they’ve had within the final six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some actually sturdy performances, particularly in South Africa,” Shastri stated in The ICC Overview.
“They’ve missed Ayub on the prime, and he’s an important participant. However Pakistan have sufficient depth to be harmful, particularly in house situations. I might say they need to qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it’s anybody’s sport.
“Pakistan are nonetheless very, very harmful, and in the event that they qualify, they’ll be doubly extra harmful.”
Ricky Ponting stated the tempo quartet of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain will be very deadly.
Pakistan’s quick bowling brigade may be very, excellent. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been terrific in current collection, they’ve the tempo and ability to hassle any batting line-up,” he stated.
“Babar has been a bit up and down in recent times, but when he and (Mohammad) Rizwan can deliver their A-games, that’s when Pakistan turns into extremely harmful,” Ponting stated.
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“They’ve nonetheless obtained sufficient high-quality gamers to beat any crew on any given day. In the event that they play properly, they’ll be proper in it
“The strain of enjoying at house can work each methods. It may be an actual motivator, particularly with the house crowd behind you. That assist can typically aid you cross the road in large moments,” Ponting stated.
