Who should the openers be?

The return of Fakhar Zaman into the squad brings up the question of who the first-choice openers should be. The duo of Fakhar and Babar Azam have shared many memorable partnerships, scoring 489 runs together at the top between 2018 to 2020, but the Pakistan skipper has now tasted considerable success with Mohammed Rizwan.

Babar and Rizwan have opened in 10 matches together — all in 2021 — scoring 521 runs at an average of 52.10, including two century stands. Their run-rate of 9.16 is a vast improvement from the 7.99 that Babar and Fakhar managed together. In the last 12 months, no other opening pair has scored as many runs in the world. Though Rizwan can be pushed down the order, changing a successful pairing at the grandest stage might not be the wisest move. Then again, given the importance of the powerplay, could Fakhar’s natural aggression be the key to maximising the fielding restrictions?

Haider Ali or Fakhar Zaman at three?

Haider Ali, who lost his central contract earlier this year, has regained his touch in the last few months and could push for a slot at three. The right-hander has not scored more than 27 runs in any of his last ten innings for Pakistan in T20Is but was in excellent form in the recent National T20 Cup. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 317 runs at a strike rate of 146.76 and an average of over 63, with all of his runs coming at the No.3 position.

Fakhar, in turn, averages only 20.33 this year with just one fifty from 10 innings. He has scored 88 runs in the National T20 Cup at a strike rate of 117.33, and Haider, on current form, edges ahead of Fakhar in the XI. But Fakhar is experienced, and has form at ICC events.

Is there a spot for Shoaib Malik in the XI?

It seems unlikely. With Mohammad Hafeez expected to play a similar role as Malik in the side, it is unlikely that Pakistan will accommodate two anchors in the XI. Malik last played a T20I game in 2020 against England, following which he was dropped from the side. Since the start of the year, he has scored 646 runs in 31 T20 matches across leagues at an average of 29.36 but has managed to amass only three fifties at a strike rate of below 130. In all ICC global events that he has played in the last ten years, Malik has not scored a single fifty and has a poor average of 18.37 to show for his efforts.

Malik’s inclusion at the last minute, in place of Sohaib Maqsood, thus, seems a desperate attempt to get in experience into the line-up, but with the middle-order already jam-packed with options and a rich pool of all-rounders to choose from, Malik might have to warm the benches.

Should Imad Wasim or Mohammad Nawaz make the cut?

Imad Wasim’s variations and his ability to hit the ball a long way with the bat made him a certainty in the side but his dwindling returns puts a question mark over his spot in the T20 World Cup side. Though the all-rounder strikes at over 142 in T20Is, his average of 13.12 coupled with his recent form — he has a high score of 20 in his last 11 T20I innings — does not make him a certain starter in the side. In the CPL and the National T20 Cup, Wasim ended with seven scores of less than 20 and picked up only 13 wickets in 12 games.

In contrast, Nawaz, who usually bats in the lower middle order, was given a promotion in the National T20 Cup and made the most of his chances. In seven games in the tournament thus far, Nawaz has scored 30, 56*, 41, 51, and 38, all while batting at number five, and has picked up eight wickets as well.

How much faith do Pakistan put in Asif Ali?

Asif Ali has long been rated as one of the biggest hitters Pakistan have available, and with most of their batters those who like to take their time before accelerating, the presence of someone who can go from ball one is vital. His ability is highlighted by a strike-rate nearing 150 in all T20s. However, his form in international cricket is underwhelming.  In the last three years, he averages 10.94 and strikes at 103.91 in T20Is.

Given the exclusion of Azam Khan from the squad at the last minute, Asif is the only player Pakistan have who fits the specialist role. But if he continues to misfire, there are all-round options who could take his place.