First look: Pakistan

Pakistan last won the WC in these conditions in 1992. It took few things to go their way that time for them to make the semis and after that they were quite superb. This team will need more than a fair share of things to go their way because it does not look a very settled unit especially given their inexperience in these conditions.

A look at the squad ....

Misbah-ul-haq leads the team as one of the oldest players in the WC. With Younis Khan and Afridi as the only other experienced members, the squad lacks significant experience compared to Pakistan teams of past that have participated in World tournaments. With no Ajmal and Hafeez unable to bowl, the team will have lesser bowling resources than what they have had in fast.

Strengths -

If anything, bowling is also the only strength of this squad. Mohammed Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan will be possibly the first set of 3 left-armers to represent a WC squad. Irfan has shown that he can be handful in pacy conditions and the others have also shown glimpses of the promise. Afridi will pair up with Yasir Shah as the twin leg-spin attack that has ability to get breakthroughs in the middle overs. 

Weaknesses - 

Batting has been Pakistan's problem ever since Inzamam and Mohammed Yousuf retired and this time is no different. Younis and Misbah can steer the ship in the middle overs and Afridi can provide some fireworks but what this team really needs is sizable contributions with the bat from Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez. But again, given the conditions, it may be too much to ask. Their fielding has routinely let them down like it did in last WC semi-finals.

Prediction - Pakistan can be very unpredictable but even then this side does not bode a lot of promise this World Cup. It doesn't have the depth and experience of the class of 92' to pull-off miraculous win. They will have to show a lot of flair that we seldom see nowadays if they have to make it past the quarters this time.