Ravi Shastri backs dangerous Pakistan to reach Champions Trophy semi-final
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have backed the Pakistan side for a good show in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan has played three bilateral series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, winning all of them. However, question marks still persist on the team given the absence of opener Saim Ayub and the fact that they have not played full-strength sides.
Pakistan is grouped with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy and will shuttle between their home and Dubai to play matches. Pakistan found the vote of confidence from Shastri and Ponting, who spoke about the team’s fast bowling prowess.
Speaking on the ICC Review podcast, Shastri said that Pakistan has the depth to shine in their home conditions and would be even more dangerous if they reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Pakistan had a torrid time in the last 2 ICC trophies – the ODI and T20 World Cups and would be looking to make a strong comeback, which returns after a hiatus of seven and a half years.
“I think Pakistan is the kind of side that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, has put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.
Despite the absence of the injured Ayub, who has become a vital cog in the Pakistan side, Shastri remains confident in the team’s depth.
“They’ve missed Ayub at the top, and he’s a crucial player. But Pakistan has 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,” he added.
Shastri is certain that, should Pakistan make it to the knockout stages, they will be a formidable threat to any team.
“Pakistan is still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they’ll be doubly more dangerous.”
BABAR AZAM KEY FOR PAKISTAN: PONTING
Speaking on the same show, former cricketer Ricky Ponting highlighted the quality of fast bowlers Pakistan had and explained that they had the skills to trouble any batting line-up.
“But 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 on the same show.
The former batter, however, argued that it would be senior batters – Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s form that would dictate Pakistan’s fortunes in the tournament.
“Babar has been a bit up and down in recent years, but if he and (Mohammad) Rizwan can bring their A-games, that’s when Pakistan becomes incredibly dangerous,” Ponting said.
“They’ve still got enough high-quality players to beat any team on any given day. If they play well, they’ll be right in it.”
Ponting also acknowledged the added dimension that playing in front of a home crowd can bring. “The pressure of playing at home can work both ways. It can be a real motivator, especially with the home crowd behind you. That support can sometimes help you cross the line in big moments,” Ponting said.
Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19 before taking on arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai.
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