The much-anticipated schedule for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle has been recently unveiled, and Pakistan’s itinerary is now confirmed. With a total of six series lined up, men in green journey promise an exciting blend of home and away matches. The men in green will play three home and three away test matches. The main question arises Can men in green win the 2023-25 WTC cycle?
Pakistan’s Position in the Previous WTC Cycle: A Rollercoaster Ride
In the previous WTC cycle, Pakistan embarked on a journey that started with promise but ended in disappointment. The team began with a nail-biting one-wicket loss to the West Indies, where despite their valiant efforts, the opposition managed to snatch victory from their grasp. However, the green team swiftly bounced back, securing a comprehensive victory in the second Test.
Their fortunes seemed to be on the rise as they traveled to Bangladesh, triumphing in both matches with impressive margins. The second Test, heavily affected by rain, witnessed a remarkable performance by off-break bowler Sajid Khan, who took record figures to seal a resounding victory.
Sitting comfortably in the second spot of the Points Table, the green team returned home for a highly anticipated series against Australia. However, controversy ensued when the PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja, admitted to intentionally preparing a flat wicket in Rawalpindi to neutralize Australia’s pace attack, a move that received widespread criticism. Although green shirts salvaged a memorable draw in the second Test, Australia ultimately emerged victorious in the series, winning the final match in Lahore.
Facing England next, the men in green experienced a crushing blow as they suffered a 3-0 defeat, igniting a storm of criticism from fans and cricketing experts alike. Rawalpindi once again faced scrutiny for producing a below-average pitch, tarnishing Shaheen’s hopes in the WTC tournament. Subsequently, the team faced New Zealand at home, resulting in an intense and rare series draw.
As the curtains closed on Pakistan’s season, they were left with four Test wins, six losses, and four draws, making their previous WTC cycle a tumultuous and challenging endeavour
Pakistan Home Matches In 2023-25 WTC Cycle
Pakistan’s upcoming home series in the 2023-25 WTC cycle promises an intriguing mix of challenges and familiar conditions. The national team is scheduled to play three Test series at home, against West Indies, Bangladesh, and England. Facing West Indies, men in green will engage in two matches, while they will play a total of two matches against Bangladesh as well. These encounters hold the promise of relatively smoother sailing for green shirts, as they will be competing on their home turf.
However, the real test lies in the three-match series against England. Shaheen will have to meticulously counter England’s strategies, a task that won’t be a walk in the park. The English team has proven to be a formidable opponent, and the green team will need to bring their A-game to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Adapting to England’s baseball-inspired tactics will be no easy feat, requiring astute planning and execution from Shaheen’s side.
Nevertheless, men in green will draw confidence from the advantage of playing in familiar conditions during their home matches against Bangladesh and West Indies. The support of the home crowd and the knowledge of the pitches can work in their favour, providing an opportunity for Shaheen’s to assert their dominance and secure crucial victories.
Pakistan Away Matches In 2023-25 WTC Cycle
The men in green is set to embark on three demanding away series in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, facing off against Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. The team will play two matches against Sri Lanka and three matches against both Australia and South Africa.
Currently, Shaheen’s is in the midst of a series against Sri Lanka, where they appear to be comfortably positioned to win the first Test. However, the spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka could pose a threat to the green team’s fortunes in the second Test, requiring them to tackle the unique challenges of playing in sub-continental conditions.
The upcoming series against Australia is likely to be an arduous task for Pakistan, as the Australians are renowned for their dominance in home conditions, especially on fast and bouncy pitches. Pakistan’s batsmen will have to contend with the hostility of the Australian pace attack, while their bowlers will need to find ways to dismiss the formidable Australian batting lineup. It will undoubtedly be a stern examination of green team’s skills and resilience.
Similarly, facing South Africa in their home conditions presents its own set of challenges for shaheen’s. The South African pitches are known for their pace and bounce, creating a favourable environment for the Proteas’ fast bowlers. Green Team will need to adapt swiftly and counter the threat posed by the South African pacers to compete effectively in the series.
Can Pakistan Win The WTC 2023-25?
If men in green aims to clinch the WTC 2023-25 championship title, they must deliver exceptional performances in their home series while navigating the challenging away encounters. Winning all the home series will be paramount to securing a strong position, considering the formidable nature of the away series.
Additionally, the unpredictables will need to secure at least one away series victory, alongside winning three home series, to solidify their chances of qualifying for the ultimate prize.
Fortunately, the unpredictables possess a winning recipe. The team has recently discovered a promising middle order in Test cricket following the retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq. Young talents like Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman have emerged with immense potential. Saud Shakeel, in particular, displayed his prowess by scoring a double century in the first Test against Sri Lanka, even in challenging away conditions. Such contributions bolster men in green chances of success in the 2023-25 WTC cycle.
Furthermore, the unpredictables boast a high-quality pace attack, with the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi making a significant impact in the Sri Lanka Test series, where he also completed his 100th Test wicket milestone. Alongside Afridi, the young spin asset Abrar Ahmed adds depth to the unpredictable bowling arsenal. With a well-rounded bowling unit, they possess the firepower to trouble opposition batsmen.
In the batting department, the unpredictable possesses a formidable top order consisting of Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Shan Masood, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. While they excel in home conditions, they will need to raise their performances and adapt to the challenges of away matches to solidify Pakistan’s chances of winning the WTC.
