As the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 progresses, Pakistan faces a daunting challenge with its bowling attack, raising concerns about the team’s chances of securing a spot in the semi-finals. While the optimism of fans remains, a realistic assessment of recent performances, notably in the Asia Cup last month, paints a worrisome picture for the national team.
Fast Bowlers’ Struggles:
The fast bowlers, once considered Pakistan’s strength, are faltering in the World Cup. Rather than actively seeking wickets, they seem to be waiting for opposition batters to make mistakes. Shaheen Shah Afridi, leading the pace attack with 10 wickets, has been effective but tends to thrive more in the later stages of innings when batters are looking for big shots. The inability to take early wickets upfront is a glaring concern, and the question arises whether the pacers have the ability to strike independently.
Hassan Ali and Haris Rauf, other key pacers, haven’t made remarkable contributions with the new ball. Haris, in particular, has struggled with an economy rate touching seven, raising questions about his impact on the team’s overall performance.
Spin Bowlers’ Dilemma:
The major stumbling block for Pakistan lies in its spin department. Frontline spinners, including Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usama Mir, have struggled to maintain economy rates throughout the tournament. Shadab, in particular, has been a disappointment, lacking control over line and length and offering inconsistent deliveries. The absence of sharp spin and the inability to control the game have been evident issues.
The experienced spin duo of Shadab and Nawaz, with over seven years in the national team, has failed to live up to expectations. While part-timer Iftikhar Ahmed has performed admirably with an economy just above five, the mainstay spinners’ subpar performances are a cause for concern.
Comparative Analysis:
A breakdown of Pakistan’s bowling performance against other teams reveals a concerning average per wicket. With an average of 42.24, the team lags behind competitors like India and South Africa. The spin versus pace comparison further underscores the issue. While the pacers have managed to take 26 wickets, the spinners have struggled, securing only 6 wickets at an alarming average of 100.34.
| Teams | Average | Economy | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 52.08 | 6.81 | 428 | 262 |
| Bangladesh | 42.57 | 5.99 | 364 | 156 |
| England | 42.60 | 6.46 | 399 | 227 |
| Pakistan | 42.24 | 6.32 | 367 | 205 |
| Afghanistan | 41.93 | 5.78 | 288 | 215 |
| Netherlands | 33.68 | 5.66 | 322 | 207 |
| Australia | 33.09 | 5.68 | 311 | 209 |
| New Zealand | 26.43 | 5.07 | 282 | 139 |
| India | 25.89 | 4.91 | 273 | 191 |
| South Africa | 24.81 | 6.09 | 326 | 170 |
Average:
Pakistan has an average of 42.24, placing them fourth among the listed teams. This suggests that, on average, it takes the Pakistani bowlers 42.24 runs to dismiss an opposing batsman. While this places them ahead of several teams, it also highlights a lack of consistent breakthroughs.
Economy:
With an economy rate of 6.32, Pakistan is positioned in the middle of the table. The economy rate indicates the average number of runs conceded per over. Pakistan’s economy rate suggests a decent performance but implies room for improvement, especially in terms of controlling the flow of runs more effectively.
Highest Score Conceded:
Pakistan’s highest score conceded is 367, ranking them third highest among the teams listed. This figure represents the most runs scored against Pakistan in a single match. A high number in this category signals vulnerability in defending against strong batting performances.
Lowest Score Defended:
On the positive side, Pakistan’s lowest defended score is 205, which is the second highest in this category. This implies that the team has managed to successfully defend relatively lower totals, showcasing a degree of resilience in certain matches.
In summary, Pakistan’s bowling performance in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 can be characterized as moderately effective. While their average and economy rate place them in the middle, the ability to defend lower totals is a positive aspect. However, the relatively high highest score conceded raises concerns about the team’s ability to contain strong batting line-ups. To enhance their chances of reaching the semi-finals, Pakistan will need to address these challenges and strive for more consistent and impactful performances from their bowlers.
Looking Ahead:
With Pakistan needing to win all remaining matches to stay in contention, there is an urgent need to address the bowling woes. The team’s inability to adapt and strategize has been glaringly exposed, leaving fans and analysts questioning if it’s too late to rectify the issues that surfaced a month before the tournament began. The pressure is now on Babar Azam and the coaching staff to recalibrate their bowling tactics swiftly if they intend to make a comeback in the tournament.
The real litmus test for Pakistan’s struggling bowling unit awaits as they face South Africa on October 27th. It will be a pivotal match, providing an opportunity for the team to showcase whether they have successfully addressed their bowling shortcomings or if further challenges lie ahead in the tournament.
