Pakistan’s head coach, Grant Bradburn, recently discussed the challenges faced by his team in international cricket. He expressed his concerns about not frequently playing against top-ranking nations, particularly India, between ICC events. This conversation took place on the eve of Pakistan’s crucial match against Bangladesh, where Bradburn reflected on his team’s rapid decline from being the top-ranked ODI team to now needing a near miracle to reach the World Cup’s final four.
Bradburn refuted the notion that Pakistan had ever been considered “favorites” to win the competition, emphasizing the misleading nature of ICC rankings. He pointed out the lack of opportunities to face India and other top cricketing nations, which has skewed their rankings. Despite briefly holding the No. 1 position, he acknowledged that Pakistan has not yet been the best in the world and remains realistic about their World Cup prospects.
Pakistan has played only a limited number of ODIs against prominent teams, similar to Bangladesh, and their exclusion from the IPL has put them at a disadvantage. Bradburn, however, clarified that the team doesn’t feel isolated and emphasized their commitment to playing dynamic cricket. He discussed the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar conditions in India and how they’ve meticulously prepared for each match.
One of the key challenges faced by Pakistan in this World Cup is the absence of swing for their fast bowlers, a traditional strength of the team. Bradburn noted that the conditions have been different, affecting their bowlers’ performance. Despite the team’s challenging situation in the qualification race, Bradburn stated their determination to bring joy to their nation and make Pakistan proud of their cricket team. They remain focused on putting their best efforts into their remaining matches and leaving the tournament’s fate to destiny.
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
