ICC World Twenty20 Teams
Since being runners-up in 2007, Pakistan cricket has gone through some tumultuous times.
The team has seen new lows and has shown no signs of coming back to any kind of form. However, a new captain in the shape of Younus Khan does give some hope.
It was a roller coaster ride for Pakistan in South Africa in the first ever ICC World Twenty20 as a young team went on a winning spree against Scotland, Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh.
A semi-final win against New Zealand saw Pakistan lock horns with traditional rivals India in the final where, despite Misbah-ul-Haq's heroics, India triumphed by five runs to lift the Twenty20 World Championship.
New ball bowler Umar Gul rattled all opposition top order batsmen with his pace and movement and ended the tournament as one of the biggest impact players.
Shahid Afridi was voted the Player of the Tournament, thanks to his exploits with the ball, though the all-rounder had a pretty forgettable outing with the bat.
As Pakistan set about trying to improve on second place, they will surely realise the importance of sticking together as a team. A win against Australia in a one-off Twenty20 International was not a bad way to go into the event in England.
With Shoaib Akhtar back in the fold, the bowling looks powerful. A further edge is added by the emergence of talented left arm bowler Sohail Tanvir, who has troubled some of the best around the world.
With Younus, Kamran Akmal, Misbah and Salman Butt, the batting looks in good hands. Only time will tell weather the mercurial side can live up to some high expectations.
