Twenty20 World Cup / Ed Hawkins / 03 June 2009 /

No side has a higher percentage of T20 wins in the international arena or boasts more players at the summit of the top bowler and batsmen rankings than Pakistan. Many punters may be put off by their recent lack of T20 action, but not Ed Hawkins.

It is no surprise that Pakistan - with the highest win percentage (76) of any side - have taken to Twenty20. It is the mercurial format for the mercurial team. Their record should leave no-one in any doubt what it takes to be successful: pure, raw talent. Along with India, who pipped them in the 2007 final, they are the most outrageously gifted of all sides. The problem is, too often they beat themselves with dressing-room unrest.

Key Batsman

A straight fight between Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik. Misbah went from hero to villain in the 2007 final after he had rescued his side only to choke at the death. He is the second highest runscorer in Twenty20's immature history. Shoaib is all wrists and laconic wafts and a place behind his team-mate in the top runscorer lists. With Misbah's groin injury, Shoaib looks a solid wager at [5.00] for top Pakistan runscorer. Undoubtedly they are weak in terms of openers - Salman Butt had a torrid time with the swinging ball in England in 2006 and partner Ahmed Shehzad, 17, is the youngest in the tournament - so could be worth opposing on highest opening partnership markets.

Key Bowler

Umar Gul, still only 25, and Shahid Afridi, with his spin bowling dolly mixtures, will gain most attention because they are Nos 1 and 2 on the Twenty20 top wicket-takers list. But it is Sohail Tanvir who excites. He was the top bowler in the inaugural IPL and the world's batsmen remain green to his awkward bowling style, which comes off the wrong foot. He has a dangerous slower ball and nerves of steel. He is [27.00] to be top tournament bowler.

The Captain

Younis Khan is billed as energetic and astute. Yet Younis rejected the PCB's advances for him to lead twice before accepting a third offer. He replaced Malik this year although insider's talk of potential friction is cheap. Smartly, Younis has decided to use Pakistan's virtual exclusion from international cricket - they cannot play at home - as a method to bond the squad. Echos of Imran Khan's 'fight like cornered tigers' speech.

Conclusion

They have the best record of any team, the two best bowlers and two of the top three batsmen. Not only that, but they are in the right half of the draw, avoiding India, Australia and South Africa in the Super Eight stage. They need only to finish second from a group of New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to make the semis. Of course, they must not lose to Netherlands first - don't forget Pakistan lost to Ireland in the last 50-over World Cup - but at [11.00] they surely represent value.

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