Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Pakistan as strong contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying that the team has enough quality and balance to challenge any side despite a few clear weaknesses.

 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said he would focus purely on cricket while assessing Pakistan’s chances. “I know some might not agree, but I will focus on cricket. Pakistan really have a strong chance in this World Cup,” he said.

 

Ashwin highlighted Pakistan’s opening combination as one of their biggest strengths. “Their strength is their opening pair. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are opening, and Saim has been bowling well in the powerplay,” he said.

 

He also praised Pakistan’s new-ball attack, pointing to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s impact. “Shaheen Shah Afridi’s economy rate in the powerplay has been excellent at 6.5,” Ashwin noted.

 

“Then they have Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz. Nawaz brings control, while Abrar adds the novelty factor,” he said.

 

Ashwin identified Babar Azam’s position in the middle order as a possible concern. “One of their weaknesses is Babar Azam coming in the middle order,” he said.

 

However, he felt Pakistan’s bowling depth compensates for that. “At the death overs, they have Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Usman Tariq is also a novelty factor, with an impressive economy rate of 5.63,” Ashwin added.

 

He also highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s new star batter. “Khawaja Nafay is striking at 174, and there is a definite upside there,” he pointed out. 

 

Summing up Pakistan’s overall balance, Ashwin said that the side still has a key advantage. “All in all, Pakistan have strengths and they have weaknesses, but they also have Salman Ali Agha,” he said.

 

Pakistan have named its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, with Salman Ali Agha leading the side. The squad includes Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq.

 

The T20 World Cup begins on February 7, with Pakistan set to face the Netherlands in the opening match.

 

However, Pakistan will not play against India on February 15. Pakistan has announced a boycott of the match following the ICC’s bias over Bangladesh’s security concerns during the tournament.