Come Sunday, Indian and Pakistani cricket teams will fight it out after five years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both teams have extraordinary players that can turn the tables anytime in the game.
Here are the five Pakistani players who need to be watched out for:
BABAR AZAM
Babar Azam has played under-19 World Cups in 2010 and 2012. In 2102, he was the top run-scorer Azam is the second-fastest batsman to reach 2000 runs in ODI cricket. In T20Is, he is second on the list of players quickest to 1000 runs.
Pakistan has a dismal 0-5 record against India in T20 World Cup clashes. Captain Babar Azam is one player who can make a difference.
In 61 T20Is so far, he has scored 2204 runs with the highest score of 122. He averages 46.89 at a strike rate of 130.65. Besides one hundred, he has scored 20 half-centuries in the game’s shortest format.
MOHAMMAD RIZWAN (Wicket-keeper-batsman)
The wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is one of the most bankable stars of the Pakistan team. The 29-year-old has justified his replacement after Sarfaraz Ahmad was shunted out.
A 104 not out against South Africa was the beginning of a purple patch that saw Rizwan notch up seven half-centuries later. I
He was part of the Multan Sultans in PSL. He emerged as the second-best player after Babar Azam in the 2021 PSL season.
In 43 T20Is, Rizwan has scored 1065 runs with the highest score of 104 not out and an average of 48.40. His T20I strike rate is 129.09. He also has eight T20I half-centuries to his credit.
SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI (Left-arm fast bowler)
The lanky pacer is the backbone of Pakistani bowling. With a heigh of 6.6 feet, Shaheen Shah Afridi can swing the ball at a decent pace. He was part of Lahore Qalandars in PSL.
Shaheen has so far made 30 T20I appearances and bagged 32 wickets. His best bowling figure is 3/20, though his economy rate of 8.17 is on the higher side.
HASAN ALI (Right-arm medium-fast bowler)
A crafty pacer, Hasan Ali is one of the best death bowlers in the Pakistan squad. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, he got 13 wickets. Pakistan won the title thanks to Hasan. He was adjudged the ‘Player of the Tournament award.
In 41 T20Is, Ali has taken 52 wickets, though he has been slightly expensive, with an economy rate of 8.29. His best T20I spell reads 4/18.
MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ (Right-hand batsman- Right-arm off-break)
Mohammad Hafeez is one of the oldest players in the Pakistan squad. He debuted in 2003 and has been Pakistan’s best all-rounder for the last decade.
Hafeez can bat at any position and that is where he comes in handy.
He has played 113 matches and scored 2429 runs, including 14 half-centuries and a highest of 99 not out. As a spinner, he has taken 60 T2OI wickets with a best of 4/10 and an economy rate of 6.54.