For years Pakistan traded off their reputation for unpredictability – a true tournament team that no-one wants to play when it really matters. However, captain Sarfaraz Ahmed knows that tag has now been attached to the West Indies, ahead of their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup opener at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Kevin Pietersen has tipped Jason Holder’s team as the best hope of upsetting the established world order of England, India and defending champions Australia.
And there’s certainly a swagger about a Windies team who have twice won the World Cup in England, though their most recent win was 40 years ago.
“I think it’s good to be unpredictable. All teams are scared of Pakistan because we are unpredictable,” said Sarfaraz.
“At the end of the day, the Pakistan team is very dangerous too. So it’s good for the World Cup to be very unpredictable, it affects the whole outcome.”
Trent Bridge has a reputation for big scoring – it was here that England bludgeoned their world record 481 against Australia last year.
And when Pakistan scored their highest ever ODI total at the ground earlier this month, England ticked off their 341 target with three balls to spare.
So if the mythical 500 barrier is going to be broken anywhere in the weeks ahead then this famous old Nottingham ground, where legends such as Larwood, Hadlee and Sobers plied their trade, looks a strong contender.
With the West Indies, who scored 421 in their final warm-up match, boosting a powerful batting line up including Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Andrew Russell and Evin Lewis.
Sarfaraz was keen to play down that threat, preferring to accentuate the positives of his bowlers, such as Hasan Ali, the top wicket taker when Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy here two years ago.
“To contain these teams you have to take wickets, that’s how you stop the runs,” said Sarfaraz.
“Whether you play against the West Indies, England or Australia, that’s how you get respect, taking wickets.”
But Hasan claimed just four victims during the recent 4-0 series defeat to England, though insists there is no reason for panic, with Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir returning to the team to strengthen the attack.
“One day cricket is about taking wickets, people talk about big scores, or beating 500 runs, but taking wickets is always the key – that’s how you win,” he said.
“I’ve been working very hard and I really enjoy bowling in England and have great memories from playing here two years ago. I know once I get my rhythm then wickets will come.”
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