New Delhi, Nov 5 (NationPress) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed his thoughts on Pakistan's T20I squad, highlighting their strength in the 50-over format. However, he emphasized that the Men in Green are yet to achieve the right composition for the shortest format as the T20 World Cup approaches rapidly.

Latif suggested that the team management should experiment with new players when Pakistan faces less formidable opponents in the upcoming months to be adequately prepared for the World Cup scheduled to kick off on February 7, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

“Currently, Pakistan is up against relatively weaker teams. In January, they will have a series against Australia, but until then, they’ll be facing easier opponents. This is the ideal moment to test new talent if they wish to fortify the team — soon, there will be no room for experimentation. The competition will be tough, featuring strong teams like South Africa, New Zealand, India, England, and of course, Australia. Knockout tournaments can be unpredictable, and that’s when Pakistan often shines when expectations are low. Nonetheless, they must work diligently to elevate their game,” Latif stated to IANS.

The 57-year-old further remarked on Pakistan's losses to India in the Asia Cup, noting that the team was in advantageous positions during those matches. He stressed the need for improvement in the middle-order for T20 success.

“Historically, Pakistan has been a team that thrives when underestimated — they are never to be dismissed completely. If openers Fakhar and Ayub perform well, the outlook improves significantly. However, early dismissals can put the team in a difficult spot. The middle order has shown weakness recently, particularly in the matches against India during the Asia Cup where we faltered from dominant positions. That’s an area requiring substantial effort,” he added.

Currently, Pakistan is hosting South Africa for a multi-format series, including two Tests, three T20Is, and as many ODIs. The Test and T20I series have concluded, with both teams now competing in ODIs. The red-ball series ended in a draw, with each side winning one match, while Pakistan made a notable comeback in the T20I series, clinching it 2-1.

After an opening loss in the T20 series by 55 runs, the hosts rebounded with consecutive victories in the following games. In the ongoing ODI series, Pakistan leads 1-0, aiming to secure a 2-0 advantage on Thursday.

Latif acknowledged the issues within Pakistan’s T20I framework and expressed hope for the management to address these challenges effectively.

“In international cricket, we recently achieved victory over South Africa, although we faced a Test defeat. I believe it’s crucial to give new players a chance. This series offers the perfect opportunity to evaluate bench strength, as such flexibility is not available during tournaments like the World Cup or Asia Cup. Our ODI team is strong, while we’re encountering some T20I challenges. However, Saim Ayub’s bowling has made a significant impact. Players like Salman Ali Agha, Rizwan, and several senior players are returning. Shaheen has also returned as captain. Players who were previously dropped have now made a comeback,” he concluded.