(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Can Pakistan win the next World Cup? It's an intriguing question, especially when you consider the fact that Pakistan's only victory in 50-over game's showpiece event came in 1992 when Diego Maradona was still playing football, Sir Alex Ferguson had yet to win his first English league title with Manchester United and Sachin Tendulkar was a boy wonder.
A lot has changed since then, but what hasn't changed is Pakistan's ability to produce fast bowlers of genuine class.
Now as they completed their eighth straight win in one-day cricket with a resounding seven-wicket victory in the fourth match of the five-game Q Mobile one-day series against Sri Lanka on Friday, reporters were tempted to ask skipper Sarfraz Ahmed if Pakistan would be one of the favourites for the 2019 World Cup in England.
"Definitely it's a nice feeling to have a very good one-day team. The World Cup is still two years away. But we will have a chance if this team continue to play the same way," Safraz said at the post-match press conference at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night.
Of course, it's their fast bowlers who have been at the forefront of the team's fantastic run. The Mohammad Amir-inspired attack was magnificent in the Champions Trophy triumph in June. And here in the UAE, the team have proved that they have enough firepower to dismantle teams despite losing Amir to a shin injury.
"Definitely we have one of the best bowling attacks in the world. We have got big teams all out for 220-230 in the Champions Trophy. Our bowlers deserve special praise," Sarfraz said.
Hasan Ali, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy, has once again impressed everyone in the ongoing series with his ability to take wickets. The 23-year-old fast bowler has already taken 12 wickets in four matches against the Lankans.
"He has been a top bowler for us. He is improving every day. And today he has also become the number one bowler in ICC rankings. So congratulations to him. He deserves it because he has been working so hard on his game. I just hope that he continues the same form," the Pakistan captain said.
"The best thing about Hasan is that he is an attacking bowler. He is always looking to take wickets. And he always tries to learn from his mistakes. He speaks with our bowling coach Azhar (Mahmood) bhai all the time on how he can improve as a bowler. I think that's the secret to his success."
But Hasan is not the only wicket-taking bowler in Pakistan's armoury.
"Of course, it's not just him. Shadab Khan has been taking wickets. Today we had Usman Khan Shinwari. It was his first match, but he made such a big impact. Junaid Khan is also doing very well," Sarfraz said.
"So our bowling has made the biggest impact. Even when we got all out for 220 in Abu Dhabi, our bowlers did an outstanding job and defended that small total. It's a nice feeling because we have got so many options now. These boys are making sure that Pakistan have got a very good bench strength."
Sarfraz then thanked the selectors for backing the talented youngsters like Usman and Imam
Haq. "I think the selectors deserve big praise for picking these talented youngsters. And our attempt in the team has been to give these youngsters the confidence they need. We have been trying to create that environment in which they have the confidence to carry forward their domestic form to international level. That's one of the reasons why the new players have been able to make such an impact," the wicketkeeper-batsman said.
"I would also like to thank the seniors in the team for motivating the juniors. That's very a nice thing about this team, the harmony and the blend of youth and experience. I hope this will make the team very strong in the future."
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