Batting the Achilles heel for mercurial Pakistan

THE OUTLOOK:

Perennially mercurial in a format that embraces the sport's unpredictability, Pakistan promise dollops of excitement in the ICC World T20 2016. They may have left their fans and selectors tearing their hair out after a lukewarm show in the Asia Cup T20, but can just as easily turn it on and go all the way to win the World Cup. That's just how they like to roll. In Shahid Afridi, the 2009 champions have a leader who despite being in the twilight of his international career, can still galvanise Pakistan's cricket. More importantly, Afridi knows what goes into winning an event like this, having famously starred in the semis and finals in their title triumph in England, in 2009. Pakistan have power, pace and panache. If they can find some pluck, they should go a long way in the tournament.

ICYMI:

Pakistan have been making news even before they landed in India for the tournament. Diplomacy, political undertones, squad changes, banter - the newspapers have been replete with stories. The marquee fixture against India has been moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata following concerns of security. On the team front, Pakistan's Khurram Manzoor experiment fell flat on its face as the opener went through a disastrous Asia Cup, paving the way for Ahmed Shehzad's return.

KEY POINTS:

1. On the move - Pakistan have been travelling non stop since the turn of the year. A tour to New Zealand in January was followed by the inaugural edition of the PSL in the UAE. The team flew to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup and now will be away for a third straight month. Workload management will become a factor for Pakistan especially if they make a deep run in the tournament.

2. Off the field action - The dialogue between India and Pakistan and the ensuing uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament cannot have been easy on Pakistan's players, who now have the onerous task of hitting the ground running. They play their first warm-up game a day after they land in India and will need to get acclimatised to conditions quickly.

3. Strengths - 'Pace is pace yaar' - Fast bowling has traditionally been Pakistan's big strength. The 2016 WT20 is no different. In Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami - they have, arguably, the most potent pace-bowling attack in the tournament. On the flip side, this also poses significant selection issues for the captain. To play a right combination of these bowlers. But it's a headache they'd gladly bear.

4. Weakness - Pakistan's top-order woes have been well-documented. Sharjeel Khan scored a hundred in the PSL last month but has since found his batting bereft of timing. Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad will need to contribute significantly at the top if the team has to post significant totals on batting-friendly wickets in India. The explosive Umar Akmal will once again hold the key to Pakistan's batting from the middle order.

5. Form - Pakistan enter the World Cup on a patchy run of T20 form in 2016. They won their opening game against New Zealand in Auckland but slipped to successive defeats to lose the series before folding tamely in the Asia Cup. A victory over beleaguered Sri Lanka in a dead-rubber game in Mirpur might give them just the right kind of confidence boost they'd dearly wanted.

SPOTLIGHT'S ON:

1. Shahid Afridi - Pakistan's skipper created quite a stir by claiming he was planning on reconsidering his retirement. The 36-year-old, who had originally stated that the World T20 in 2016 would be his last international assignment, has been going through a rather lean patch with the bat and has courted considerable criticism for it, with a section of the media asking for his removal as Pakistan captain after the Asia Cup exit. Afridi, though, retains the faith of the board, at least for the World Cup, and the enormity of the event could just about stroke his competitive edge to life one final time.

2. Mohammad Amir - Amir's return following a five-year suspension for indulging in spot-fixing has been one of the most protracted debates of 2016. There have been literally no debates about his prodigious skill with the ball, with the exception of a certain Rohit Sharma, who wishes to wait on his judgement. A world stage would be the ideal platform for the youngster to light up and attempt to put to rest any lingering doubts of his presence.

GROUP STAGE SCHEDULE:

March 16, Wednesday: versus Qualifier 1, Eden Gardens, KolkataMarch 19, Saturday: versus India, Eden Gardens, KolkataMarch 22, Tuesday: versus New Zealand, PCA Stadium, MohaliMarch 25, Friday: versus Australia, PCA Stadium, Mohali

EXPERT OPINION:

"I feel they will do well. The team Pakistan has selected has in-form players and I feel it has become even better after a few late changes. The players will enter these tournaments on the back of the PSL experience, which will surely help them."- Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq sees Pakistan overcome a slump in form to enjoy a good tournament.

PREDICTION: Super 10

Pakistan, being Pakistan can upset the apple-cart and can go all the way in the tournament but in Group 2, they find themselves having to play India, Australia, New Zealand and potentially Bangladesh, who boast significantly more rounded sides. If Afridi's men don't sort their batting out soon, they'll find themselves missing out on a semi-final berth for only the second time in World T20s.