#PakvsNZ: Pakistan Exposed Ahead of #CT25

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The #PakvsNZ match in the #trinationseries has highlighted key weaknesses in Pakistan’s cricketing setup just days before the #CT25. The defeat not only exposed frailties in the batting order but also raised concerns about Pakistan’s bowling strategy and overall team balance. If these issues are not addressed promptly, Pakistan’s chances of defending their title look slim.

Read: #TriNationSeries: What’s in Store?

#PakvsNZ: Struggles Against Spin Persist Ahead Of #CT25

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The conditions in Pakistan and the UAE, where the Champions Trophy will be held, offer significant assistance to spinners. However, Pakistan’s batters once again displayed an inability to counter quality spin bowling in the match against New Zealand. Despite repeated failures in similar conditions, the team has yet to develop an effective approach against spin in limited-overs cricket. This weakness could prove costly in the tournament, where they will face teams with world-class spin attacks.

Read: Are SajidKhan And NomanAli The New Wasim & Waqar?

Over-Reliance on Pace in Unsuitable Conditions

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Pakistan’s strategy of playing four pacers worked well in Australia and even in South Africa, where they often deployed three fast bowlers successfully due to helpful pitches. However, conditions in the subcontinent demand a different approach. Here, spinners play a vital role in taking wickets, especially in the middle overs. Yet, Pakistan has opted for only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, in their squad. Without adequate spin support, breaking partnerships and restricting runs will be a significant challenge.

Read: #PakvsWI: Why Criticism of Pakistan’s Pitches Is Misguided

Lack of All-rounders and Power Hitters

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Another major concern is the absence of quality all-rounders and power hitters in the lineup. Apart from Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan lacks reliable big hitters who can change the game in a matter of few overs. This deficiency puts immense pressure on the top order to compensate, which is not sustainable against strong teams.

So, it’s obvious that if Pakistan is to defend their title, they have a lot of catching up to do in terms of team balance and tactical adjustments.

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