Asia Cup 2023 | SWOT Analysis of Pakistan

Babar Azam will be the biggest asset for the Pakistan team (Source: Twitter)

The Asia Cup 2023 is upon the cricketing fraternity. This year, the tournament will be played in the 50-over format. It will provide a perfect preparation ground for the Asian teams for the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled in 2023. 

One of the biggest contenders for both the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 will be Pakistan. Over the years, Pakistan has had plenty of individual brilliance but failed to perform as a team. They have been a team that needs more consistent clutch performances under pressure. 

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But recently, under the leadership of Babar Azam, the team has started playing as one unit, and consistency in the multinational tournaments has been one of their prime features. This article will look at the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and delve analytically into it.

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Here is the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2023:

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.

Strengths of Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

Strong and Young Pace Unit

This Pakistan squad boasts pacers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr. All these fast bowlers are young and skilful. 

Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will be the biggest plus points for Pakistan (Source: Twitter)

These bowlers guarantee a hundred per cent effort throughout the match and trouble the opposition batters with their genuine pace and energy. Also, the potency of this bowling unit, evident from their career strike rates, will give the team an edge in the competition. Here is a look at the career strike rate of these bowlers.

This bowling unit looks all-covered. As Shaheen looks like a very potent new ball bowler, Naseem might come in bowl a few energetic spells in the middle-overs and Haris Rauf has gradually developed himself as a master of the death overs. All said, the pace bowling unit of Pakistan looks like one of their biggest strengths. 

Well-settled top-order

 The presence of Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan gives the team's top-order a pretty solid outlook. The fact that all of them are in pretty decent form in 2023 makes Pakistan an even more dangerous team. 

Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam will play a big role in Pakistan's chances in Asia Cup 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The teams facing them in these two mega events will have their work cut out as they have to ensure the dismissals of these batters to get an edge over Pakistan, which at present seems a pretty tough job.

Here is a look at the batting record of the Pakistan top-order in ODIs in 2023 so far.

Weaknesses of Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

Lack of Experience in the bowling unit

A common word in cricket is that batters win you matches while the bowlers win you tournaments. If we talk about the potency and intimidation of the Pakistan bowling unit, there is a good use of it in the current set-up. But one of the most significant factors required to win a big tournament is experience, which this team lacks. All prime bowlers are yet to play 60 ODIs, which might haunt the team in crunch situations. 

Shaheen will be leading a rather inexperienced bowling unit of Pakistan (Source: Twitter

Infact, we have already witnessed this aspect of Pakistan's game; their bowling faltered in the semis of the T20 World Cup 2021, against India in the 2022 T20 World Cup and in the final of the T20 World Cup. This leads us to a rather safe conclusion that talent and effort can get you to the big match, but the experience will see you through in these games and get you to the trophy.

Here is a look at the number of ODIs the prime bowlers of Pakistan have played till now. 

Fragility and inconsistency in the lower middle-order

We have already spoken about the solid and consistent top-order of Pakistan. While that is one of their biggest strengths, one of the major weaknesses is the fragility and inconsistency after the top four. Batters like Ifitikar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan and Usama Mir can be destructive on their day, but barring Shadab, the concern with the other players is the need for more consistency. 

Batters like Iftikhar Ahmed will have to show great temperament to provide solidity in the lower middle-order (Source: Twitter)

Also, the fact that the top four are doing the job in most cases means that these batters are less exposed to match situations. This might raise a concern for the team in crunch matches when they have to depend on these batters to bail them out of pressure situations.

A look at the ODI records of the Pakistan middle and lower middle-order batters.

Opportunities for Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

Presence of Utility Players

Presence of players like Shadab Khan gives great flexibility to Pakistan

Pakistan looks like a very balanced outfit because of the presence of some good utility players. Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman and Usama Mir are some players who can contribute effectively to the team. Also, all these players can bat anywhere in the batting line-up after the top four. This allows great flexibility and dynamism to the team management to adapt quickly as per the match situations. Furthermore, the presence of players like Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf on the bench gives them the bench strength to be ready if any unfortunate injury hits them in the middle of the tournament. 

Threats for Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

Lack of Potency in the Spin Department

Shadab Khan will have to carry the Pakistan spin department on his shoulders (Source: Twitter)

If we look at Pakistan's spin bowling unit, it comprises Shadab Khan and Usama Mir as the prime options. There are backup bowlers like Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman, who might be a regular part of the playing XI. Also, there is Mohammad Nawaz in the squad. But among these bowlers, barring Shadab, there is no genuine wicket-taker. This lack of potency will significantly affect their chances, especially during the middle overs. This might induce Babar to often bring his prime bowling options like Naseem, Haris or Shaeen into play in the middle phase, leading to an overall imbalance in their bowling plan. 

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Overall Balance Rating: 8/10

Pakistan Probable Playing XI for First Match of Asia Cup 2023

Imam Ul Haq
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam (c)
Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
Agha Salman
Ifitikar Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Usama Mir
Shaheen Afridi
Naseem Shah
Haris Rauf