There is a stereotypical image of a back-to-the-wall Pakistan being among the most dangerous to play. The team has often fed into this by not suffering but revelling in such a setting. The most vivid example is that of the Imran Khan-led side that won the World Cup in 1992 after sneaking into the semifinals with a hat-trick of wins in its last three league encounters.
In the day game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium against New Zealand on Saturday, Pakistan will look to summon those very spirits as its 2023 World Cup campaign hangs in the balance. After snapping a four-match losing run with a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday, Babar Azam’s men will look for another win to keep alive their chances of making the last four.
Against Bangladesh, Pakistan turned in a wholesome performance, with the returning Fakhar Zaman injecting some much needed batting panache and Shaheen Afridi continuing to find ways to take wickets despite unfavourable conditions. Shadab Khan’s fitness is however a worry, with the leg-spinning all-rounder having suffered a concussion in the defeat to South Africa.
