#CWC2019: The contenders
Pakistan and NZ boast quality to earn them glory
THE contenders:
Zealand
Outside of the main competitors Pakistan and New Zealand have the quality to go all the way.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan and New be working for Imam though as the constant whispers in the media that he owes his place in the team to his family connections seems to act as a major motivating force. The bespectacled left-hander has arguably been the most consistent Pakistan batsman in recent times, averaging 60.30 from 20 ODIs. He has six centuries already – four short of his uncle Inzamam’s overall tally compiled in 358 more ODIs.
The Rookie: Hasnain
Pakistan boast a youthful attack with fellow teenager Shaheen Shah Afridi joining Hasnain in England. But unlike the beanpole Shaheen, Hasnain stands 1.85m in his socks. His lack of height has not stopped him from delivering thunderbolts at 151km/h for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League though. Hasnain is raw and very quick. Just like how we like our fast bowlers.
Squad:
Mohammad
Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Hassan Ali, Abid Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Sohail.
NEW ZEALAND Playmaker: Martin Guptill
Wellington is notorious for its blustery winds. Four years ago on March 21, it was Guptill that blew through New Zealand’s capital city when he blasted a record 237 not out off 163 balls in the World Cup quarter-final against the Windies. It remains the highest individual score at #CWC. The elegant right-hander with the high backlift and penchant for glorious lofted straight drives will hope to replicate that form in England. His record in the UK, where he averages 57 at a strike rate of 97, certainly indicates that he can.
Mr Dependable: Ross Taylor
Despite fast approaching the twilight of his international career, Taylor (35) is at the peak of his powers. He is New Zealand’s ODI Player of the Year, and ranked No 3 on the ICC ODI batting charts, after a remarkable 12 months that saw him compile 759 runs last year at an average of 84. His experience of English conditions – he has just come off a stint playing for Middlesex – will also be crucial to a youthful Black Caps’ batting unit.
The Rookie: Tom Blundell
New Zealand are known for making brave decisions, and selecting an uncapped reserve wicket-keeper/ batsman was certainly one for them. What they didn’t know was that Blundell could be thrown straight to the wolves in the Black Caps’ opener in Cardiff after first-choice gloveman Tom Latham fractured his finger in a warm-up game last week in Brisbane. Should this scenario prevail, Blundell could call on the experience of his Test debut when he compiled a maiden century against the Windies.
Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Squad: