Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri reckons that Pakistan cricket team will be dangerous in the ICC Champions Trophy. The country is set to host an ICC event after decades and the team will be looking to make the most of it. Shastri opined that advantage of playing in home conditions coupled with their recent exposure to white-ball cricket makes the side very hard to count out.
“Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous”
Speaking on ICC Review, Shastri pointed out that Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous in Champions Trophy. He backed Rizwan & co. to qualify for the semi-finals. He further reckoned that the side could be doubly dangerous should they make it to the knockout stages.
“But Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it’s anyone’s game,” Shastri said.
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Shastri further added that despite the absence of Saim Ayub at the top-order, Pakistan still had enough depth to pose danger to the rest of the sides.
“There’s always pressure when you play at home in the sub-continent – whether it’s India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan – the expectations are massive. But I think Pakistan are the kind of side that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa,” Shastri remarked
Ponting backs Pakistan’s fast-bowling brigade to do the job
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting echoed similar sentiments as Shastri did over Ayub. However. he backed Pakistan’s fast-bowling brigade to the the X-factor for the side in Champions Trophy. He added that Babar Azam and Rizwan rediscovering their form will make lives more difficult for other teams.
“Pakistan’s fast bowling brigade is very, very good. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been terrific in recent series, they have the pace and skill to trouble any batting line-up,” Ponting said.
