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Pakistan Cricket – Symbol of unpredictability and uncertainty with a cluster of unusual events at unexpected times. Worldcup’19 Journey was the proper depiction of Pakistan’s dramatic character at the cricketing arena;
Pakistan kick started World cup campaign with the horrendous performance against Windies by routing out for just 105 in 22 overs, as Fakhar and Babar remained top scorer for 22 while Windies chased the easiest target in only 14 overs, as Pakistan’s net-runrate reached to the lowest as -5.02.
Second game against England was complete turnout for Pakistan, they made history to beat the team that had two batsmen scoring hundreds; Root and Butler. Openers provided a good start for Pakistan, as Babar and Hafeez kept the momentum going for Team Green, as they jotted 348/8, with Hafeez leading the chart with 88, while Babar scored an elegant 63. Bowlers showed courage against English batters, as Roy and Bairstow were undone within first 9 overs. Root magnificent 107, and Butler’s scintillating 103, couldn’t take the No.1 ODI team over the line, as England made 334/9 giving Pakistan their first win.

Third game against SL that could’ve yielded two points, got washed out, as Pakistan took on Aussies in their 4^th game, with Warner’s ton and Finch’s 87 took Australia to comfortable 307, with Amir picking up 30/5
Chasing 308, Pakistan’s unpredictability came into play as they remained at 160/6. Hasan’s flawless hitting yielded 32, as Wahab’s 45 took Pakistan near to victory, but Sarfaraz’s runout for 40, had Pakistan all over for 266, losing the game by 41 runs.

Arch-rivals; India and Pakistan meet at Birmingham as Rohit’s ton and Kohli’s half century took India to a massive total of 336/5 in 50 overs. Amir took 47/3. Chasing a massive total, Pakistan failed once more, as Fakhar’s 62 and Babar’s 48 remained top-scorer with Pakistan could only manage 212/6, and ended up losing the game by 89 runs.

Pakistan’s do-or-die game against South-Africa, gained them the momentum they needed, Openers gave them the solid start, while Harris Sohail’s 89 run knock, helped them put a decent total of 308/7, while Amir and Wahab delivered when it mattered, as Pakistan restricted South Africa to 259/9, and won the game by 49 runs. Amir picked up 49/2, while Wahab got 46/3

Inform Kiwis’ were blown away by Green Shirts in their 7^th game, as Amir, Shadab and Shaheen’s bowling had Kiwis on backfoot at 85/5, Neeshum and Grandhomme held the innings together to take them to respectable total of 237/6, while Babar and Harris’ match-winning partnership sealed the deal for Pakistan, with Babar’s scintillating knock of 101, gave him Man-of-the-Match, as Pakistan ranover Kiwis by 6 wickets.

Pakistan’s game against Afghanistan was another must-win situation, as bowlers responded once more with Shaheen and Imad tightened Afghan’ screws and restricted them to 227/9. Shaheen picked up 47/4
Chasing the easiest target, Pakistan turned on their unpredictability mode as they were left at 156/6, with Shadab, Imad and Wahab rescued them to the victory in the last over, by 3 wickets.

With England winning against Kiwis and India, Pakistan’s Worldcup dream was nearly over, as they faced Bangladesh hoping to score a miraculous 500, but they ended up getting 316 courtesy Imam ton, and Babar’s 96, while Imad chipped in with handy 43. Shaheen’s superb bowling spell got the better of Bangladesh, as they failed to coup up and ended up getting bowled out for 221. Shaheen picked up 35/6, as Pakistan ended the Worldcup campaign on the higher note, with 11 points with NRR less than the Kiwis.

Babar Azam came out as Pakistan’s top scorer with 474 runs in 8 matches.
Muhammad Amir remained Pakistan’s highest Wicket taker with 17 wickets.