Pakistan aim to put the outside noise behind them in bid for glory

The uncertainty around whether Pakistan will actually play India has become the most compelling storyline of an otherwise underwhelming build-up to the World Cup. Less than 24 hours before the tournament begins, the Pakistan Cricket Board continues to threaten forfeiting the marquee clash without formally following through. Pakistan enter the World Cup with chaos – and threats – as the mystery spinner in its squad.

This off-field theatre has become an unfortunate pattern. With each ICC tournament, the actual contest between these arch-rivals grows less competitive and fails to match the hype, while the drama surrounding it intensifies.

On the field, Pakistan arrive with genuine momentum, coming off record-breaking home victories against Australia. They're playing their most dynamic T20 cricket in years. At the World Cup, they will be playing all their matches in Colombo, which gives them the advantage of familiar conditions, and their spin attack poses a serious threat to every contender.

The squad:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.

Pakistan have bet big on their spin-bowling all-rounders. Given the conditions in Sri Lanka, it's an enviable bunch of bowlers to have at their disposal. It allows them to find place for some explosive hitters at the top, while also ensuring depth in both batting and bowling reserves.

Pakistan have won 27 of their 47 T20Is since the 2024 World Cup. Led by a renewed approach since the Asia Cup, there has been a slight change to Pakistan's fortunes in recent months. Victories against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia augurs well for their confidence.

Last five T20Is: W-L-W-W-W (latest)

Pakistan have been playing the most aggressive brand of T20I cricket they have played in a while. The results against Australia in the recently-concluded three-match series is a testimony to what their collective skill can achieve. Against Australia, they touched the 200-run mark, and even posted 198 in another game.

Nonetheless, batting is still their weakest suit. The Salman Agha-led side have been playing a spin-heavy attack in recent games, hedging their bets on four spinners. There is no dearth of variety on that front, and for once, given their recent success, the pacers are likely to have a lesser load to carry.

If their spinners can continue to trouble opposition batters the way they did against Australia, the limited explosiveness of their batting wouldn't be much of a worry.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Usman Tariq, the offspinner with a strangely slow load and side-arm action, has been sparingly used by Pakistan in recent games. He could well be the trump card even in a spin-heavy attack. He has shown the tendency to disrupt partnerships and set batters.

All of Pakistan's matches are scheduled to be played in Colombo, with three of their league matches at the Sinhalese Sports Club. So they would be in an advantageous position with regards to not having to spend long hours travelling.

If the PCB decides to forfeit the game against India, every contest could potentially be a banana-skin fixture. The biggest of their threats would be from USA, a team that beat them in the last World Cup and again last July.

But they won't be the only one. Netherlands have shown the tendency to be giant killers in World Cups, and Namibia have enough talent in their ranks to not be taken lightly. Every game could become a must-win encounter for them.

What a good World Cup looks like

Pakistan have made it to the semis of the T20 World Cup six times – more than any other team in the world. However, much of this was in the early years. Their appearances in the ICC knockouts have been rare in recent times. While they would hope to make the last four, they wouldn't be satisfied if their campaign ended there. A final entry should be the bare minimum target.