PAK vs NAM: Pakistan's (PAK) Predicted Playing XI Against Namibia (NAM) - ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 31

Pakistan have been enjoying a dream run in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021. They have made a rollicking start to their super 12 campaign, has managed to win all three games played in the tournament so far.

Babar Azam and Co. registered a 5-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last game before winning against India and New Zealand in their first two matches. Ahead of their fourth match against Namibia, the Men in Green would look to extend their winning run. Here’s a look at their predicted playing XI:

PAK vs NAM: Pakistan’s (PAK) Predicted Playing XI Against Namibia (NAM) – ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 31

Openers: Babar Azam and M Rizwan

Pakistan’s formidable opening duo of Babar Azam and M Rizwan should continue to open the innings for the side on Tuesday. Both the batsmen have been brilliant in the last couple of years, irrespective of the format.

Babar Azam has scored the most runs for Pakistan in the tournament, while M Rizwan sits at second position. One can expect them to stitch another top-class opening partnership on Tuesday. Babar Azam has 128 runs in 3 matches, while M Rizwan has managed to amass 120 runs in 3 games.

Middle-Order: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali

Fakhar Zaman played a decent 30-run knock in the last game against Afghanistan. That knock would have given him a lot of confidence ahead of the knockout stage of the tournament. Zaman would be looking to make the most of the next two games of the Super 12 stage.

He will be followed by the experienced duo of M Hafeez and S Malik. Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali stitched a match-winning partnership against New Zealand to help his side earn a five-wicket win.

They got into a similar position in the last game as well. Shoaib Malik, though, got out but Ali went on to win the match after hitting four sixes in the penultimate over. There is no denying that the duo would be integral to Pakistan’s ambition to win the tournament.

M Hafeez’s poor form is perhaps the biggest concern for the team at the moment. He got out on low scores on both the last two games. Hafeez would be wanting to play one solid knock with the bat before Pakistan reach the semi-finals.

Spinners: Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan

Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan have played an instrumental role in handing Pakistan three consecutive wins. Imad Wasim has bowled beautifully in the powerplay. His accuracy hasn’t allowed the openers to get a solid start at the top.

Shadab Khan, on the other hand, has been brilliant in the middle overs. His variations have come in handy on the slow and sluggish tracks of UAE. Both the bowlers have given away runs at less than 6 an over.

Bowlers: Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi, perhaps, has looked like the best fast bowler in the tournament. He has consistently hit the right lengths and that too with a great pace. His counterpart, Haris Rauf too has complimented him brilliantly. He has been impressive both in the powerplay as well as in the death overs.

The duo has combined to pick 11 wickets between them. The only concern in the bowling department has been the poor form of Hasan Ali. In 3 matches, he has given away runs at close to 10 runs in an over.  However, despite that, Babar Azam wouldn’t want to change the winning combination and put faith in his fast bowler.