PAK v SCO preview: Pakistan will look to continue winning streak against Scotland
Sharjah. Former champion Pakistan will look to continue their unbeaten streak against Scotland in their final Group Two match in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup here on Sunday. Pakistan won the title in 2009 and the team’s performance so far in the current tournament season has been very good. They have already booked a spot in the semi-finals by winning all their matches in Group II.
The team had made their intentions clear by defeating archrivals India by 10 wickets and New Zealand by five wickets in the first two matches of the tournament. They received a tough fight from Afghanistan, but Asif Ali hit four sixes on six balls to turn the match in Pakistan. The team secured a spot in the semi-finals with a 45-run win over Namibia in their previous match.
While Pakistani starters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are in good shape, Asif, who is a master of big shots, has proven to be one of the best finalists in the tournament so far. However, the performances of players like Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have shown a lack of consistency. In the bowling department, the rhythm duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi have been excellent, while in the spin department, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan have played their part well.
Dwayne Bravo was last seen in the West Indies jersey, his teammates said goodbye with emotion
The only concern for the team is the pace of Hasan Ali, against whom many runs have been scored in the tournament. After securing a place in the semi-finals, Pakistan can rest some players and give others chances in this match. Scotland, however, will take to the field with the intention of ending the tournament on a positive note. Scotland won all three qualifying matches but were disappointed in all four games so far in the Super 12.
It will be difficult for the team to digest the crushing eight-field loss to India on Friday. However, after the match, the Indian players led by captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma interacted with members of the Scottish team. Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer said the conversation inspired his players.
World Cup T20: Indian players arrived in Scotland’s dressing room, Cricket Scotland expressed gratitude
The teams are as follows:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik.
Scotland: Kyle Coetzer (c), Richie Berrington, Dylan Buzz, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Chris Greaves, Michael Leask, Callum McLeod, George Muncy, Safyaan Sharif, Hamza Tahir, Craig Wallace, Mark Watts, Bradley Wheel: 7 pm
Starting at 30 hours.
.