NEVER WRITE OFF THE AFRIDI MEN

Surprise and shock are the pet names of Team Pakistan. Traditionally, they have been a unique unit where the best and the worst have resided simultaneously.

They have excelled, mocked expectations, risen to unimaginable heights and enthralled the world with a passionate brand of cricket. And when you thought that they were the favourites, they painstakingly discovered the path to defeat — often losing in a manner that only they are capable of.

Cricket in Pakistan has often been played with the ball of controversy. Spot-fixing no-balled the spirit of the game in the not-too-distant past. And if that was not enough to crush the team’s morale, the bizarre Zulqarnain Haider incident rocked Pakistan and cricket.

Is that enough to write off a team in a high-pressure event like the World Cup? Absolutely. But then when the team is Pakistan, be ready for the impossible, the weird and a powerhouse performance on the pitch out of nowhere.

Talent has never been a problem with the men in green… It’s discipline and focus that has often gone haywire in crucial situations. And make no mistake, if Pakistan manage to hit rhythm, they can mow down the best in the business. To put it simply, they are the dark horse of this edition’s World Cup.

Reasons? Well, there are many. The most prominent one is the fact that the subcontinent is their playground. Familiar conditions will provide Shahid Afridi’s boys with the knowledge to use their potential to their advantage.

Speaking of Afridi, the all-rounder is a known match-winner and being the captain, he will have the added zing in his step to do the damage. If his batting clicks, he can turn a match upside down. His bowling, a cross between spin and medium pace, that too on the tricky subcontinent wickets, can run through batting orders. The fiery Pathan will give his everything to do an Imran Khan.

Pakistan’s batting will be their strength. With names like Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, the 1992 champions shouldn’t face a problem in gathering runs aplenty.

The bowling may not look sharp but has enough ammunition to win them matches. The accurate Umar Gul and Afridi himself are tried and tested weapons. And if Shoaib Akhtar gets back even half of his earlier self, Pakistan fans will have reasons to be hopeful.

Age, however, may rob Pakistan of the edge. With more than half of their 15-member squad above 30, it remains to be seen how they cope with a marathon tournament. Also, controversies should be kept out of the boundary.

THE SQUAD: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammed Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan.