Pakistan have strong chances of winning T20 World Cup, says ex-Indian spinner Ashwin

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has described Pakistan as strong contenders for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, saying the team has a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.

Speaking on his YouTube channel while analysing Pakistan’s squad, Ashwin said that despite the opinion possibly not sitting well with some fans, his assessment was based purely on cricketing merit.

“Some people may not like this, but I’m only talking about cricket. I genuinely feel Pakistan have a very good chance of winning this World Cup,” Ashwin said.

He identified Pakistan’s opening pair and bowling attack as the team’s main strengths. Ashwin noted that Babar Azam is unlikely to open, with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub expected to start the innings.

He praised Saim Ayub’s aggressive batting during the powerplay, calling it particularly impressive.

On the bowling front, Ashwin highlighted Shaheen Shah Afridi’s powerplay economy rate of 6.5, adding that Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz also strengthen the attack.

He described Nawaz as a controlled bowler, while calling Abrar dangerous due to his unique style.

The 39-year-old former spinner also pointed out Pakistan’s weaknesses, including inconsistency among key players and questions around team combinations.

He said one concern was Babar Azam batting in the middle order, while noting that Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have been less effective in the death overs.

Ashwin added that Shadab Khan’s form with both bat and ball has dipped.

However, he stressed that Pakistan remain a well-balanced side with emerging talent, mentioning Salman Ali Agha as an underrated player who often goes unnoticed.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be held from 7 February to 8 March in India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will begin their campaign on Saturday against the Netherlands.