The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup has already begun, with 20 teams competing for the championship. These teams are divided into four groups, featuring a mix of full-member and associate-member teams.
Under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership, Team India emerged victorious in the inaugural T20 World Cup 2007. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have won the trophy once, while the West Indies and England have clinched it twice.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Babar Azam as the captain of the Men in Green. It will be intriguing to see if his leadership can end Pakistan’s World Cup drought. This article will analyze the Pakistani team, including their strengths, weaknesses, X-Factor, and predictions for the T20 World Cup. 
Pakistan’s Squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Usman Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub
All-rounders: Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim
Pacers: Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan’s Advantages in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Strong top order:
Pakistan boasts a robust top-order batting lineup. Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub are expected to open. Ayub is a dynamic opener capable of devastating any bowling attack, while Rizwan is a seasoned batter who can rapidly adjust to circumstances. Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Usman Khan are also in exceptional form and can put opponents on the back foot if they get rolling.
Ayub’s role will be to play freely, ensuring Pakistan has a thrilling start. Meanwhile, Babar and Rizwan can bat for extended periods, establishing a strong foundation for the later batters.
Fierce pace bowling attack:
Mohammad Amir’s inclusion strengthens Pakistan’s bowling attack, which is formidable on paper. Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi add strength. Shaheen and Naseem are expected to use the new ball effectively, causing significant damage during the powerplay.
Haris Rauf returned strongly from a shoulder injury in the series against England, claiming five wickets in two matches. The conditions in the US and the West Indies might benefit Mohammad Amir’s left-arm pace, adding valuable experience to the squad.
Pakistan’s Potential Weaknesses in the 2024 World Cup
Middle-order collapse:
Despite strong starts, Pakistan has struggled to convert them into substantial scores. The middle order has faltered in recent matches. Azam Khan, the wicketkeeper batter, has yet to impress in international cricket, scoring only 88 runs in 12 innings. His highest score is 30*. His wicket-keeping abilities were also questioned after he missed some catches in the last game of the T20I series against England.
Lack of support from all-rounders:
Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan have been struggling with both bat and ball. Imad has taken five wickets in recent matches in six T20I matches, while Shadab has only taken three. Both spinners must regain their rhythm quickly to maintain pressure during the middle overs.
The X-Factor of Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Iftikhar Ahmed:
The 33-year-old has a reputation for altering the course of the game with his powerful hitting in the slog overs. He has done this many times for Pakistan and various T20 franchises. Although Iftikhar has played only 53 T20I innings, he is just 25 runs away from reaching the 1,000-run milestone. Babar Azam might also use him as a part-time off-spinner when needed.
Players from Pakistan to Watch During the 2024 T20 World Cup
Mohammad Rizwan:
Rizwan is currently ranked third in the ICC T20I rankings. He has amassed over 3,200 runs for Pakistan in T20Is and is a reliable performer for the team.
Babar Azam:
The Pakistani captain is the first player from his country to accumulate 4,000 runs in T20Is. He is only the second player in the world, after Virat Kohli, to achieve this feat. Babar is ranked fourth in the ICC T20I rankings, just below Rizwan.
Haris Rauf:
The right-arm fast bowler is close to surpassing the 100-wicket mark in T20Is. He is the third-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan, following Shadab Khan and Shahid Afridi. His blistering pace can incapacitate opponents.
Time for Predictions
Pakistan finished as runners-up in the last T20 World Cup, losing to England in the final. There are areas of concern for the team, but if they address these issues, they could be strong contenders for the title.
