Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has suggested an hilarious idea on how Babar Azam led side can still qualify for the semifinals of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023
Pakistan are virtually out of the World Cup semi final race after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by five wickets on Thursday. However, Akram has a plan for victory that might be simpler to achieve.
On “The Pavilion”, a talk show on A Sports, a Pakistan-based sports TV channel shared the idea with other panelists off camera (although on the air he doesn’t seem to recall his own idea)
“Mathematically it is still possible,” quips Wasim.
“Pakistan should bat first, get to their total and then lock the England team in their dressing room for 20 minutes to make sure all their batters get timed out! It’s not a totally unworkable idea… is it? ” he added.
Wasim’s co-panelist and former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said: “Lock them after the toss only.”
Scenarios: How Can Pakistan Qualify For The Semi-Finals?
Pakistan will lock horns against England in their last league match at the Eden Gardens on Saturday and they have a near-impossible task ahead of them.
If Pakistan bat first and score 300, they have to bowl out England to 13. They need to maintain a margin of 287 runs if they score more than 300 runs in Kolkata.
On the other hand, if Pakistan bowl first. their chances look very slim. Even if they bowl out England for 100, they need to chase down the total in 2.5 overs, meaning win with 283 balls to spare.
Pakistan, who are currently lying at the fifth position at the points table, have an Net Run Rate of 0.036.