Besides the fact that Imran Khan and Shahid Afridi are both Pathan, there are quite a few similarities between the squad that won in 1992 and the one that plays in 2011.
Half of the 1992 team was fairly experienced: Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, Rameez Raja and Ijaz Ahmad. So is the 2011 side: Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul and Misbahul Haq.
The other half in 1992 was not entirely inexperienced: Inzamamul Haq, Aamir Sohail, Aqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmad, Moin Khan. Similar is the case with the current squad: Muhammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Rehman, Ahmad Shehzad and Umar Akmal.
There were two uncapped players in 1992: Wasim Haider and Iqbal Sikander. This time we have Junaid Khan.
The pace attack in 1992 comprised Imran, Wasim and Aaqib. Imran had spent his prime time, as has Shoaib Akhtar. Umar Gul is as young and lethal as was Wasim. Coming to spinners, we can compare both Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman with Mushtaq Ahmad.
Now come to the batting line. We expect Miandad’s role to be played by Younis. He has almost similar amount of experience. We expect Umar Akmal and Ahmad Shehzad to play the same role as was played by Inzamamul Haq and Aamir Sohail in 1992.
But Pakistan is fortunate to have Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi this time. There was no such all-rounder in 1992. First look at Abdul’s credentials: 254 matches in 14 years of one-day cricket, 30 runs batting average and more than a wicket a match as a bowler.
Now see what Afridi offers: 312 games in 14 years of one-day cricket, around 24 runs batting average and almost a wicket a match as a bowler.
The presence of these two, particularly Abdul, makes the 2011 team a little better than the 1992 side. These two give depth to Pakistan’s bowling and batting lines. Pakistan can rely on these two to win a match even after losing six wickets at a paltry score.
So Pakistan is more capable of winning the competition in 2011 than it was in 1992. Will Afridi lift the trophy?
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