By Sadiq Mohammad (Former Test opener)
As Pakistan begin their journey in the T20 World Cup tomorrow against the Netherlands, I feel quiet confident about this side; a confidence built not on hope but on performance. This Pakistan team is playing excellent cricket in all three departments of the game: batting, bowling and fielding. The recent clean-sweep and historic series win against Australia on home soil is a proof that this is a team moving in the right direction. Momentum matters in a World Cup and Pakistan have it.
Because of this confidence, my clear suggestion is that Pakistan should bat first against all weaker teams in the group. Net run-rate often decides qualification and Pakistan must plan with that reality in mind especially as we are forfeiting the match against India. That makes run-rate not just important but critical.
Against the weaker sides, Pakistan should aim to post big totals, anywhere between 200 and 215 and if conditions allow, even higher. Batting first removes the pressure of chasing and allows our batters to express themselves freely. We have already seen this approach work. In the last T20 series, Pakistan batted first with confidence and scored 175-plus in all three matches, which clearly shows that our middle order is in very good form.
When you bat first and score freely, the entire team benefits. The bowlers know they have runs behind them, the fielders attack more aggressively, and the opposition feels pressure from the very first over.
For Pakistan, the key will be losing no more than four wickets while scoring 175-plus. That combination will significantly boost our net run rate and put us in a strong position to qualify. Every ball matters in a tournament like this even playing out the final delivery of the 20th over can make a difference. I want all our set batsmen to stay till the end and finish the innings strongly because those extra runs could decide whether we finish first or second in the group.
I am also a strong believer in attacking bowling combinations. Pakistan should play three spinners, with Saim Ayub playing a dual role. If Saim can strike early with the bat and give us 35-plus runs in the first six overs, he should then shift gears and think big even a century is possible in T20 cricket if you pace your innings well and bat deep.
Early dominance sets the tone. If Saim and the top order fire, Pakistan can control the game from start to finish.
One must also remain cautious. In every World Cup, there is always a team that plays an unexpected or “dogged” brand of cricket and produces a surprise result. That is why Pakistan cannot afford complacency. We must aim to win all three matches in the group and win them with convincing margins and a healthy run-rate.
If Pakistan play with clarity, confidence and discipline, there is no reason this team cannot finish strongly in the group and move forward with momentum.
The journey begins tomorrow and I believe Pakistan are ready.
