In this article:

• How will Amir and Imad adjust under Babar’s captaincy?
• Naseem Shah’s return to international cricket after 7 months and his preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
• How will Usman Khan, a top-order batter, secure his place in the Pakistan team?
• The musical chairs for Pakistan’s top-order slots, especially in the opening position.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is just one and a half months away, and countries around the world are actively preparing for this significant event. Pakistan is also experimenting with various strategies to assemble a well-balanced team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made several bold decisions that have significantly captured the public’s attention. This includes the return of Babar Azam as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball team, as well as the comeback of Imad and Amir from their international retirements.

Each of these pivotal moments holds its unique significance and excitement. Events have unfolded rapidly and in great numbers since Mohsin Naqvi assumed leadership of Pakistan Cricket, reflecting the political and social upheavals the country has experienced over the past two years. The key question now is whether these dramatic changes will yield positive results. Let’s explore the various areas that need attention ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Number 1 – Who should open for Pakistan?

When discussing opening partnerships in T20 Internationals since 2023, Pakistan’s strike rate during the powerplay is ranked seventh among the top teams in the world. At the top of this list is South Africa, with a strike rate of 165, while Pakistan is only slightly above Bangladesh with a strike rate of 123.32. Saim Ayub and Babar Azam might be the solution to this problem. This belief stems from their performance in PSL 9, where they had the highest strike rate among all opening pairs. Their performance was notable not just for their high strike rate, but also for leading in average and achieving multiple scores over 50.

Together, they amassed 592 runs across 11 innings, averaging 53.81 and striking at 162.64. Therefore, if this duo can replicate their performance on the international stage, it would be a very positive sign for Pakistan especially in the context of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Number 2 – Naseem Shah’s Fitness and Form

Recently recovered from an injury, Naseem Shah has shown impressive dominance over batters in the PSL. Yet, keeping his form and fitness up to the standards required for the World Cup presents a major challenge for him. Naseem last represented Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which took place in September of the previous year. During the Super Four round against India, he sustained an injury that not only forced him out of the Asia Cup but also sidelined him for the ICC ODI World Cup in October 2023. This was a significant setback for Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Similarly, the last T20 International he played was exactly a year ago, in April 2023, against New Zealand during a home series.

Thus, the upcoming series against New Zealand signifies Naseem Shah’s return to international cricket after almost 7 months. While he has already demonstrated good form in the PSL, it remains to be seen whether he can also maintain his fitness till the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Number 3 – Usman Khan! In the top order or in the middle order?

Usman Khan has made the biggest decision in his cricketing career by choosing to represent Pakistan, despite having the opportunity to continue his contract with the UAE. It’s worth noting that Usman was just one year away from qualifying for selection to the UAE national team, an opportunity he had been waiting for over four years. This decision led to a strong backlash from the UAE Cricket Board, which responded by imposing a ban on him. After such a bold and risky move, it raises the question of where Usman Khan will fit into the current Pakistan cricket team.

Usman Khan is a top-order batter who has scored more than 80% of his T20 career runs batting in the top order, specifically at positions 1, 2, and 3. However, the top-order slots in the Pakistan team are currently occupied by players like Babar, Saim, and Rizwan. Finding a spot in the top order would be nearly impossible for Usman Khan unless Babar or Rizwan were to give up their positions. Given this situation, the middle order is the only likely place where Usman Khan could play. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether Usman will be as effective in the middle order as he has been in the top order.

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Number 4 – Is Babar’s Captaincy Ready for the Test with Amir and Wasim’s Return?

The fourth and most critical question we need to consider is: With Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris already on the team, how will Mohammad Amir carve out a space for himself in the Pakistan cricket team? This scenario poses a significant challenge for Captain Babar Azam and the team management, as they will have to decide which bowler to leave out and which to include in the lineup. To manage this situation effectively, they might need to implement a rotation policy. This strategy would help manage the workload of the bowlers and address any fitness issues that may arise.

Additionally, Imad Wasim has also made a comeback to the team alongside Amir. Both Imad and Amir have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with Babar’s captaincy recently, which has resulted in quite a bit of backlash from Babar’s fans.

Given these dynamics, the most pressing question of the day is: How will both Amir and Imad adjust to playing under Babar’s leadership?