Saeed Anwar, one of the most underrated batsmen in the world and a mix of class and aggression was right there at the top providing stability to the batting line at three tournaments. Currently, Pakistan have Ahmed Shehzad, who has done enough to remain a regular at the top but can definitely not be counted upon to be as consistent as Anwar.
Shehzad's partners have varied. Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Sharjeel Khan have all appeared at the non-striker's end with Shehzad in recent times. But Jamshed has disappeared off the scene completely, Hafeez is at a crossroads and bats at number three and Sharjeel has his very glaring limitations. The middle order in the past almost always boasted of solid batsmen, and no makeshifts.
The World Cup squads in 96, 99, and 2003 was not only packed with solid batsmen but truly world class bowlers as well. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed with the addition of genuine all-rounders in Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi. Afridi transformed into a match-winning bowler much later in his career.
