SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities Threats)analysis, a strategy often used by companies to identify the Potentials, Prospects, Weak links, Chances to Succeed and Competition likely to be faced by their Products or Services and they are able to forecast the future for their Product or Service.
The same strategy SWOT can also be applied to the Pakistani Cricket team, a team that has already seen the Highs and Lows of International Cricket in just the two months of the year 2012.
Clean Sweep Test Series win against England was a historic achievement, but getting clean swept by the same English team in the ODIs and losing the 3 match T20 series to England 2-1 just brought team Pakistan back to the World.
Anyways team Pakistan had its moments against England in the U.A.E and now the team is about to leave for Bangladesh to participate in the Asia Cup. Asia Cup has not brought pleasant memories for the Green Shirts, out of the previously played 10 editions we have won just once in 2000 in the Captaincy of Moin Khan and the place was Bangladesh. Since that win Team Pakistan has failed to qualify even for the Finals of the tournament. 2004, 2008 and 2010 have seen Team Pakistan knocked out of the tournament before the Final game.
Let’s see what SWOT Analysis conclude about team Pakistan’s chances in the Asia Cup 2012.
STRENGTHS:
Bowling once again be the main strength and weapon for the Green Shirts in the Asia cup. It’s no surprise, since the last couple of decades it is the Pakistani bowling that has won the team most of the matches. As compared to the era between 1995-2005 things have changed, now it is not about the Fast Bowling, it is about slow and spin bowling. Having the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, and Shahid Afridi will mean that Pakistan will look to attack opposition teams with its spinners. Mohammad Hafeez will also play an important role as a spinner that can bowl effectively bowl well with the new and old ball. Pakistani Fast Bowling lineup also looks impressive, the experienced Umar Gul will lead the attack and will be well supported by Aizaz Cheema or Wahab Riaz, who will be looking to make their mark and do well in the Asia Cup. However it is quite obvious that major role will be played by the spinners, but the spinners will have their work cut out as India and Sri Lanka play spinners well and do not allow opposition spinners to settle, hence the Pakistani spinners will have to be on their toes in these big matches.
Weaknesses:
Poor fielding and inconsistent batting are the biggest weaknesses of team Pakistan. On comparison we see that out of the four teams participating in the Asia Cup, it is team Pakistan that is the poorest fielding unit. India, Sri Lanka and even Bangladesh are good fielding teams. To do well and hopefully win the Asia Cup Pakistan will surely have to do well in the field, as in the past Dropped catches, Missed Run Outs and giving away easy runs in the field has cost Pakistan quite a few matches.
Pakistani Batting continues to be a big Question Mark. In consistency and collapsing under pressure are big worries for the team, shades of these were also seen in the recently concluded England series. Pakistani batting lineup comprises of both Talent and Experience, but it’s all about applying those skills in the given situation. Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez are the senior men in the lineup and have loads of experience, likes of Nasir Jamshed, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali are talented young players who need the experienced men around them to guide and motivate them. It is just a matter of using brains and applying the possessed skill and team Pakistan will come up with good batting performances and will convert this “Weakness” into a point of Strength.
Opportunities:
Chances of winning are not very high, as the tournament also involves two Asian Giants India and Sri Lanka. However Pakistan plays its first match against Bangladesh on 11th March, a big margin victory in this match will do wonders to the confidence of Team Pakistan before it plays its important and tough games. A good and bright start to the tournament is extremely important. The Spinners are in form and will look to spin webs of deception around the opposition batters.
Threats:
In the marketing world, company’s direct competitors are its biggest threats. And in that case, India and Sri Lanka are undoubtedly Pakistan’s biggest threats. Both India and Sri Lanka have played some rough and tough cricket Down Under against Australia and have done reasonably well. Sri Lanka in particular have defeated Australia in 4 of the 6 matched played in the Triangular series that also involves India and 2 out of those of 4 wins have come while chasing a target of 270 or more. Sri Lankans have won the Asia Cup 5 times, they lost to India at home in the last final of the Asia Cup in 2010 and will be looking to win it and increase the tally this time around.
Team India is also keen to do well, After a successful World Cup campaign at home almost an year ago they have had it tough, losing to England and Australia in the away series have created doubts over team’s ability to do well when they are not playing at home, so M.S Dhoni and his men will be eager to prove their point and defend the Asian title, they won after a long time.
Team Pakistan will not find it easy in Asia Cup. They are going into the Tournament as a Disturbed and Under Confident team. Heavy losses to England in the Limited overs format have dented the teams confident quite badly; however this is where teak Pakistan is at its best. They Rise from the ashes, like a Phoenix. We have seen it in the past and rest assured that we will do it again.
Conclusion of the Analysis:
If the team performs well mentally, they will win it easily.
GeoSuper