With India, Pakistan and Bangladesh bunched together alongside New Zealand, bragging rights are at stake for subcontinent teams
With the ICC Champions Trophy here, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are keen to assess the prospects of the eight teams vying for the title. Scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai from Feb 19 to March 9, this edition marks the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus.
Starting with Group A, TOI examines the prospects of each team, evaluating their assets, areas of concern, potential game-changing opportunities, and threats that they must overcome to lift the trophy.
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INDIA
Strengths: India’s batting line-up is replete with pedigree and power, featuring stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer add depth to the batting order. The presence of multiple allrounders like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel provides balance to the side. Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy make up a potent spin attack.
Weaknesses: The absence of Jasprit Bumrah due to injury is a setback. Without Bumrah, India’s pace attack is inexperienced. Mohammed Shami would’ve to do a lot of heavy lifting. Concerns exist regarding the consistency of Rohit and Virat, though Rohit’s century and Virat’s fifty against England offer hope.
Opportunities: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have the platform to establish themselves as mainstays. Playing all their matches in Dubai would be like a “home advantage” for the Indian team.
Threats: Key players like Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav are returning from injuries and may face fitness challenges. India also has a history of faltering in the knockout stages of ICC tournaments.
PAKISTAN
Strengths: As hosts, Pakistan will benefit from familiar conditions and passionate local support. Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s fast bowling unit is formidable. With skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha striking rich form recently, Pakistan’s middle-order boasts of both talent and experience.
Weaknesses: Babar Azam hasn’t been in the best of form in recent years. Fakhar Zaman, the other opener, is finding his way back into international cricket. Pakistan’s top-order batting has shown vulnerability under pressure. Their fielding is not great.
Opportunities: The likes of Salman Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam have the chance to make a significant impact on the international stage.
Threats: Playing at home brings immense pressure to perform, which could result in stage-fright. Having just one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed is a risky ploy. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah can bowl too, but they are at best part-timers.
NEW ZEALAND
Strengths: Known for their reliability, consistent performers like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham provide stability. A mix of experienced pacers like Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry as well as a competent spin department makes their bowling versatile. New Zealand’s fielding is top-notch.
Weaknesses: While consistent, the team sometimes lacks gamechanging X-factor players who can single-handedly turn matches. Conceding runs in the death overs has been an area of concern.
Opportunities: Young talents like Rachin Ravindra, Will O’Rourke and Glenn Phillips have the chance to shine on a big stage. Pitches in Pakistan and UAE could suit their bowlers, especially spinners.
Threats: Historically, NZ have faced challenges in high-pressure knockout matches, and that may test them again. The team’s depth could be tested if senior players don’t bring their A-game to the tournament.
BANGLADESH
Strengths: Veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah provide a solid backbone. Bangladesh’s spinners are their primary strength. They are adept at exploiting subcontinental conditions and have familiarity with the home-like conditions in both Pakistan and Dubai.
Weaknesses: Inconsistency has been a longstanding issue for Bangladesh. The batting line-up is prone to collapses, which impacts their ability to chase totals or capitalise on good starts. The pace attack has historically struggled to contain rivals on flat tracks. They lack power hitters in the lower middle order.
Opportunities: Young talents like Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, and fast bowler Nahid Rana can make a mark in a marquee tournament. Lack of spotlight on them can make them a surprise package.
Threats: The absence of Shakib Al Hasan raises concerns about the strength of the spin department as well as the middle-order. Bangladesh lost recent ODIs against Afghanistan and West Indies where key players struggled with form and consistency.