Pakistan has had a forgetful campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 so far securing only 2-wins in their 6 matches losing even to Afghanistan and arch-rivals India. Bowling has traditionally been Pakistan‘s strength, but their bowlers have let their team down in this edition. Shaheen Afridi has been the pick of the bowlers with 13 wickets including a 5-wicket haul, but the remainder have not made the desired impact.
Haris Rauf did manage to pick up 10 wickets but has conceded at an average of 6.82 runs per over, and the spinners have greatly disappointed with none of them picking more than 3 wickets while also bowling expensive spells. Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra had some strong words for the Pakistan team who has struggled to get going in this edition of the World Cup.
The Pakistan openers have started scoring runs. Babar Azam has also scored runs. Mohammad Rizwan had also scored runs, the wagon has fallen off track a little, or else he was in the highest run-getters list – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-commentator was giving an analysis of the Pakistan team ahead of their clash against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Chopra went on to praise Pakistan’s batting which has been consistent at almost every match, with their openers providing them with good starts which were carried forward by Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan in the middle overs.
“They are a decent team but bowling has been extremely weak. Shaheen is still a wicket-taker, he picked up a five-wicket haul as well, but who apart from him?” said Aakash Chopra.
He implored the lack of impact made by the Pakistan bowlers apart from Shaheen Afridi, with most of them conceding runs at an exuberant rate.
“Haris Rauf is not bowling that well. Mohammad Wasim was played in the last match and he bowled decently. Spin is going extremely ordinary.” he added.
On the other hand, Aakash Chopra also shed a spotlight on a dismal World Cup campaign for Bangladesh who has so far managed only one win in the tournament out of the 6 matches they have played. Chopra characterized Bangladesh’s performance to be ordinary with a decent bowling performance but dismal outings with the bat.
The way Bangladesh played the last match, they are playing extremely ordinarily. They bowl decently but in batting – Litton Das has played one-and-a-half good knocks – he started well against India and I think he played well in Dharamsala – Aakash Chopra
The former Indian opener also had words for skipper Shakib Al Hasan who has had a World Cup to forget with the bat scoring only 60 runs in 5 matches he has been a part of.
“Shakib (Al Hasan) hasn’t played a single good knock thus far. Mushfiqur (Rahim) did play two or three good knocks at the start but he is also stumbling slightly now. Mahmudullah struck a century but they have kept him at No. 7.” Chopra added.
Chopra picked Pakistan as the likely winners of the match but added that he would not be surprised if they lost as they’ve been playing an ordinary brand of cricket in this tournament.