Pakistan have been struggling in ODIs for over two years now: Wasim Akram

Despite the 50-over World Cup being two years away, a lot of teams can't afford to take focus of it. Not because of the magnitude of the tournament but with their direct qualification hanging by a thread. Top seven teams will qualify for the tournament directly while England earn a qualification on the basis of being the host nation. The remaining three teams will have to earn their spot by playing a qualification tournament in Bangladesh next year.

Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh are in a three-way battle for two slots for direct qualification. Bangladesh are currently seventh followed by Pakistan and West Indies.

Wasim Akram feels that if teams don't qualify for the tournament directly, it'll put a lot of pressure on the players and administrators. "As a player I would like to qualify directly rather than play Qualifiers - it puts pressure on everyone - players, selectors, administrators," he wrote in his coloumn for icc-cricket.com on Wednesday (March 1). "As a commentator though I'm very, very excited because the pressure will improve the game of cricket and arouse interest in spectators. If you think of it, these matches add the kind of context needed in ODI cricket and the ICC deserves full praise for it.

"The coming weeks will see a lot of one-day cricket action, and significantly, there will also be huge context to go with it. These matches will have a bearing on which teams qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the fate of at least two former world champions (Pakistan and West Indies) is on the line."

Akram felt Pakistan will have to play top-quality cricket in the Champions Trophy to keep their hopes of direct qualification alive. "As for Pakistan, it needs to bring its 'A game' into all matches, including in the Champions Trophy, with qualification in mind," he offered. "Pakistan has been playing virtually non-stop cricket since its tour of England last July, during which it has played some 74 days of international cricket in 197 calendar days and that won't be making things any easier for the team.

"Pakistan cricket has been struggling in ODIs for not just five-six months but for over two years - that's why they are where they are. Now, they also have to cope with a change of captains from Azhar Ali to Sarfraz Ahmed. It is also an inexperienced side but I'm sure the selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq will pick the best side. I've seen quite some talent in the Pakistan Super League and the likes of leg-spinner Usama Mir (Karachi Kings) and left-handed batsman Hussain Talat (Islamabad United) should be considered."