T20 World Cup 2024: Shahid Afridi makes surprising prediction for Pakistan despite middle-over strike rate concern

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has made a bold prediction for the Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, despite raising concerns about the batting performance during the middle overs after their loss to England in the second T20I.

Afridi is confident that the Pakistan cricket team has the ability to reach the final of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. However, the legendary all-rounder is worried about the strike rate of the Pakistani batters in the middle overs.

Afridi, one of the brand ambassadors for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean, pointed out that the ideal run rate between the seven to thirteen over phase should be around eight or nine runs per over to keep up the momentum. However, he lauded the Men in Green’s overall capabilities and skills.

I feel Pakistan should make the T20 World Cup 2024 final: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi said on the ICC Review: “The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase. I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed but still Pakistan are my favourite. I feel Pakistan should make the final. The reason is that the conditions suit our team.”

The 2009 T20 World Cup winner also praised Pakistan's pace attack, comprising Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, and Mohammad Amir, and described it as the best in the world. He feels this bowling attack has unmatched skill and depth, making it a significant asset for the Pakistan team to win the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Afridi further noted, “I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up. All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas ...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball. It's an incredible attack.”

Shahid Afridi hails Pakistani spinners and predicts big T20 WC for Babar Azam

The legendary all-rounder also said that the Pakistani spinner is also outstanding. He stressed that they might not be in form at the moment, but he is confident that they will return to their form in the upcoming mega event. Afridi also said that Pakistan have great strength in their batting.

Afridi predicted that the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam will have a great tournament in the USA and Caribbean. He signed off by saying, “I would pick the captain Babar Azam, because he is the leader. I want him to perform well, make timely decisions which will take the team to victory.”

Notably, Pakistan is slotted alongside India, Ireland, Canada, and the USA in Group A of the upcoming mega event. They will kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA.