Beyond the Boundary: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 preview – is the format evolving beyond Pakistan’s capabilities? [Markhor]

[MenInG]

In his detailed analysis of Pakistan's preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, @Markhor writes about how Babar Azam's side under his flawed leadership has been unable to break the shackles of an outdated mode of play and why, unless a miracle happens, stands at the precipice of an unmitigated disaster in the mega event.

The last time the Caribbean hosted the T20 World Cup in 2010, Pakistan were the defending champions, and their reputation as one of the leading teams in the format was cemented by their run to the semi-finals. In 2024 with the USA set to cohost, it appears Pakistan remain stuck in a 2010-time warp using a template from a bygone era when T20 offered a more even contest between bat and ball. As the recent IPL and the hammering against England at The Oval demonstrated, the format now places a premium on explosive, high impact batsmen.

Pakistan in their history have only produced one player (min. 20 innings) with a Strike Rate of 150 – a certain Shahid Afridi. Despite bold talk recently of greater intent - of the players with the best 40 Strikes Rates (min. 10 innings) since the 2022 T20 World Cup, not one is Pakistani ! Meanwhile on that list features six West Indians, three Indians, two Englishmen, two Australians and two New Zealanders. Put simply, these are the “X Factor” players who win tournaments and new white-ball coach Gary Kirsten will be desperate to unearth some.

Powerless Powerplays

The debate about Pakistan’s openers, specifically the suitability of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in those slots, are polarising and neverending. While offering stability, neither can utilise the Powerplay as effectively as their counterparts from other teams.

Since the start of the decade, Babar and Rizwan rank 26th and 28th amongst the highest striking openers from the current top 10 ICC ranked T20I teams. However, the heir apparent, Saim Ayub, has failed to deliver returns on considerable investment. Yet he may be persisted with in the hope he can reproduce the form displayed in last year’s Caribbean Premier League where he was the best overseas batsman.

Top 5 T20I openers by SR since 01 Jan 2020 (min. 10 inns)	Average	Strike Rate
Travis Head	33.70	167.66
Phil Salt	41.26	166.39
Finn Allen	25.72	163.60
Yashasvi Jaiswal	33.46	161.93
Evin Lewis	30.20	157.29

Since 01 Jan 2020	Average	Strike Rate
Mohammad Rizwan	54.64	131.03
Babar Azam	35.85	131.19
Saim Ayub	15.26	126.51

Middle Order Revolving Door

Positions 4-7 has been akin to a revolving door with only Fakhar Zaman assured of his place in a middle-order lacking both reliable runscoring and acceleration. Iftikhar Ahmed has often promised more than he’s delivered, enduring a torrid year so far where he averages 16.10 at a measly SR of 118. The latest cab off the rank Azam Khan has shown few signs of international quality, looking vulnerable against high pace, while his wicketkeeping is a clear downgrade on Rizwan.

Wristspin is a particular weakness with Adil Rashid, Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga causing endless problems. Without release shots against spin to push the scoring rate along, and the likely nature of most pitches in the Caribbean and USA, Pakistan will continue to remain stuck between overs 7-15 where their RR is amongst the worst in the world.

Since 01 Jan 2020 in Positions 4-7 (min. 10 innings)	Average	Strike Rate
Mohammad Hafeez	29.42	143.55
Fakhar Zaman	28.43	156.89
Mohammad Nawaz	22.05	146.49
Khushdil Shah	21.40	110.30
Iftikhar Ahmed	21.25	122.99
Imad Wasim	20.16	121.60
Shadab Khan	18.65	138.38
Haider Ali	14.00	121.08
Asif Ali	12.84	143.52
Azam Khan	9.77	135.38

Bowlers or bust

Pakistan’s bowlers, while far from flawless as the 4th T20 showed, remain their best hope of competing. The pace department has depth with Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi covering all phases. Rauf was the sole spark in the Oval hammering.

Abrar Ahmed has featured surprisingly little with only two T20Is against New Zealand serving as preparation – although it’s conceivable the management is trying to preserve a degree of mystery. Imad Wasim has bags of T20 experience, particularly in the Caribbean Premier League, and can bowl effectively in the Powerplay. However, Shadab Khan’s Edgbaston performance of 0-55 on a slow deck was a new nadir for a rapidly declining bowler whose place has become untenable.

Captaincy

Few captains have the opportunity to lead their team into four consecutive ICC tournaments and by retaking the job after PCB’s controversial dumping of Shaheen after one series, Babar must now deliver. Thus far the results have been disappointing with a draw to a reserve New Zealand team, a 2-1 victory over Ireland and losing 0-2 to England. None of the doubts about his leadership, selections and tactics have been dispelled.

While one empathises with the numerous challenges that confront any Pakistani skipper – elite sport is not a friendship society and Babar has failed to captain a team to a single Pakistan Super League, Asia Cup or ICC tournament victory despite several golden opportunities to do so. If anything, Pakistan are going backwards under his watch and would do well to make the Super Eights.

 

[FearlessRoar]

@Markhor excellent analysis bro

Wow, Mohammad Hafeez has been batting at an incredible average of 143.55 since January 2020, Although he has now retired, we still struggle to find a suitable replacement for him.

The T20 format demands high batting and bowling strike rates, and Pakistan's cricket team has been slow to adapt to this change.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

@Markhor bro excellent OP, On captaincy thing I think Babar has no excuse left either deliver this time or step down for good from this format. We have plenty of other candidates ready for captaincy too.

 

[Suleiman]

Pakistan is already left behind in the other 2 formats.

Only a matter of time till they were surpassed in t20s. They were hoping everyone would still be playing like it was 2009 in 2024 with 130-155 being a decent total.

Sports is about constant evolution and adaptation. Something Pakistan hasn’t done in 25 years.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan still haven’t learned their lesson

Nor has a vast majority of some fans here

Oh well

 

[Markhor]

Pakistan is already left behind in the other 2 formats.

Only a matter of time till they were surpassed in t20s. They were hoping everyone would still be playing like it was 2009 in 2024 with 130-155 being a decent total.

Sports is about constant evolution and adaptation. Something Pakistan hasn’t done in 25 years.

We're now going through in T20s what we experienced in ODIs during the 2010s.

We had a bit of early success while everyone were figuring out how to play the format. Now T20 is played with almost scientific precision and obviously Qudrat Ka Nizamstan cannot compete.

 

[Rana]

Only a matter of time till they were surpassed in t20s

That’s like saying we are good at this format.

How can we be good if we don’t have the team or approach to post 200 batting first on a good day? This has been the case for years now, especially since Babar became captain.

 

[Suleiman]

That’s like saying we are good at this format.

How can we be good if we don’t have the team or approach to post 200 batting first on a good day? This has been the case for years now, especially since Babar became captain.

That’s why I said “were”

We were good at this format from about 2007-2010. Then the decline began.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Pakistan still haven’t learned their lesson

Nor has a vast majority of some fans here

Oh well

I say the whole country haven't learned any lessons, be it cricket or something else.

 

[Rana]

I say the whole country haven't learned any lessons, be it cricket or something else.

If you say it from a pre current government pov, let it be noted that the initial problem was created and encouraged by the political ruling party from 2019-2022

 

[Sherazkhalid]

If you say it from a pre current government pov, let it be noted that the initial problem was created and encouraged by the political ruling party from 2019-2022

I say it from 1947s onwards, not just cricket but all facets of life

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Babar is definitely not a good captain, but that seems to be the least of Pakistan's worries right now.

This aggressive mindset and targeting 200 is not coded in the genes of current Pakistani players. The fact is that only Babar and Rizwan are good at handling extreme / quality pace. Fakhar is good with spinners.

1. So until and unless it's a batting paradise, I don't think Saim should play. If it's one, then he must definitely open with Rizwan. With Babar coming one down, and if Saim is playing, Usman shouldn't.

2. This Azam Khan dead load needs to be kicked out. Or just break his leg and call for a replacement, saying he got injured.

3. Naseem should not bowl, until and unless the ground is known to assist swing. If so, Naseem can either replace a pacer or Abrar.

4. Rauff doesn't have to complete his 4, he can be used as an impact bowler. Amir, Shaheen, Rauff, Naseem/Abbas/Abrar and Ifthikar/Shadab, Imad all have to bowl. So that only two of the bowlers who perform well on that day have to bowl 4.

Openers : Babar, Rizwan, Saim/Usman

Middle order : Fakhar, Imad, Shadab/Ifthikar, Replacement of Azam

Bowlers : Amir, Shaheen, Rauff, Abbas/Naseem/Abrar

This means Abbas and Naseem will replace Shaheen/Amir/Rauff if they don't perform well and will only get to play if and only if the pitch doesn't assist spin. This also means, Abrar will be sharing overs with Imad, Ifthikar/Shadab, Amir and Shaheen.

This seems to be best option for Pakistan .

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Babar is definitely not a good captain, but that seems to be the least of Pakistan's worries right now.

This aggressive mindset and targeting 200 is not coded in the genes of current Pakistani players. The fact is that only Babar and Rizwan are good at handling extreme / quality pace. Fakhar is good with spinners.

1. So until and unless it's a batting paradise, I don't think Saim should play. If it's one, then he must definitely open with Rizwan. With Babar coming one down, and if Saim is playing, Usman shouldn't.

2. This Azam Khan dead load needs to be kicked out. Or just break his leg and call for a replacement, saying he got injured.

3. Naseem should not bowl, until and unless the ground is known to assist swing. If so, Naseem can either replace a pacer or Abrar.

4. Rauff doesn't have to complete his 4, he can be used as an impact bowler. Amir, Shaheen, Rauff, Naseem/Abbas/Abrar and Ifthikar/Shadab, Imad all have to bowl. So that only two of the bowlers who perform well on that day have to bowl 4.

Openers : Babar, Rizwan, Saim/Usman

Middle order : Fakhar, Imad, Shadab/Ifthikar, Replacement of Azam

Bowlers : Amir, Shaheen, Rauff, Abbas/Naseem/Abrar

This means Abbas and Naseem will replace Shaheen/Amir/Rauff if they don't perform well and will only get to play if and only if the pitch doesn't assist spin. This also means, Abrar will be sharing overs with Imad, Ifthikar/Shadab, Amir and Shaheen.

This seems to be best option for Pakistan .

Everyone is playing for themselves, if Aamir performs, Babar will take credit, so why perform, Babar is playing to keep his position, Babar performs the rest derail, Babar plays slow everyone blames him, we are a 160 team and if our bowlers can't defend it we are done and that is what it is looking like.

 

[Kianig89]

Yes sadly the format has evolved so much titled in the favour of batsmen and more attacking ways are added unlike the old drag chess like games where 150+ was defended 18 out of 20 times.

Travis Head
Glenn Maxwell
Fin Allen
Henrich Klaseen
SKY
Jaiswal
Jos Buttler

The above mention players are all match winners capable of turning games in 2 overs, on the other hand Pakistan doesn't have a single batsman to match this benchmark.

Do not throw in Fakhar Zaman he is too inconsistent

 

[Major]

@Markhor i get the gist of your argument and discussion, but the whole argument is flawed in Pakistan. Because the argument is not about strike rates or performance, its about favorites.

If my favorite doesnt play, than i will blame the player who has replaced him.

There is a witchhunt going on around here agaisnt Babar and Rizwan. While the rest of the guys who cant bat go scott free, babar and rizwan are targetted. The solution that is proposed is way worse. The solutions that people give is that drop these both.

Whether someone likes this or not, but for the team will be built around these guys. Just like how India built a team around Rohit and Virat who also have strike rates of 130ish-140.

Pakistans middle order crises existed since 2021 and the lower order crises existed since 2019. Due to change or boards, selectors and no coaching panel, we ended up ruining our opening pair while not bothering to repair what was actually broken.

Strike rate issue solves when you start focusing on the issue and not revert back to plans after a few games.

 

[Rana]

Whether someone likes this or not, but for the team will be built around these guys. Just like how India built a team around Rohit and Virat who also have strike rates of 130ish-140.

So Babar and Rizwan are Virat and Rohit level batsmen now?




Hoooooo bhaiii!!

 

[mominsaigol]

@Markhor i get the gist of your argument and discussion, but the whole argument is flawed in Pakistan. Because the argument is not about strike rates or performance, its about favorites.

If my favorite doesnt play, than i will blame the player who has replaced him.

There is a witchhunt going on around here agaisnt Babar and Rizwan. While the rest of the guys who cant bat go scott free, babar and rizwan are targetted. The solution that is proposed is way worse. The solutions that people give is that drop these both.

Whether someone likes this or not, but for the team will be built around these guys. Just like how India built a team around Rohit and Virat who also have strike rates of 130ish-140.

Pakistans middle order crises existed since 2021 and the lower order crises existed since 2019. Due to change or boards, selectors and no coaching panel, we ended up ruining our opening pair while not bothering to repair what was actually broken.

Strike rate issue solves when you start focusing on the issue and not revert back to plans after a few games.

No one is building a team around rohit and kohli and this isn't just a jab at you, but it's a jab at some Indian posters as well. Ignore me all you like but it doesn't change the fact that last world cup Rohit proved that their genuinely isn't a single player out their who is a better PP player then he is.

Similarly kohli proved their isn't a better no 3 then he is. So abisheikh, Gill must wait.

Filling your team with rizzu's, Bobby's etc doesn't change the fact that they get outperformed by fakhar in crucial events every single time, nor does it change the fact that the only time Pakistan reaches a final or wins a trophy, it involves barely any contribution from these 2 whereas in India kohli and rohit not performing causes collapses and customary KL Rahul chockes.

Saud is a better MO batter then rizzu is and a better t20 opener then rizzu deapite it not being his fortei format.

Ask yourself islf rizzu amd babar truly are the best for Pakistan as pp utilises over rohit?

 

[MenInG]

Why can successive administrations and coaches not see a problem with Babar's captaincy?

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Everyone is playing for themselves, if Aamir performs, Babar will take credit, so why perform, Babar is playing to keep his position, Babar performs the rest derail, Babar plays slow everyone blames him, we are a 160 team and if our bowlers can't defend it we are done and that is what it is looking like.

That seems to be the problem. Been a non Pak , Pak fan for ages, and this hurts me a lot. A Pakistani team which doesn't look good on paper for the first time.

 

[BouncerGuy]

A Pakistani team which doesn't look good on paper for the first time.

Still a better team than 2021 and 2022 world cups. But the thing is captain is the same and he is not doing anything different. This team has too many personal agendas ATM. Everyone is trying to make other players look bad.

 

[Spitfire]

Pakistan is already left behind in the other 2 formats.

Only a matter of time till they were surpassed in t20s. They were hoping everyone would still be playing like it was 2009 in 2024 with 130-155 being a decent total.

Sports is about constant evolution and adaptation. Something Pakistan hasn’t done in 25 years.

Definitely way behind already in this format too not just the other two. Both US and Ireland will give a tough time to Pakistan in the ongoing Tournament.

 

[Bewal Express]

@Markhor bro excellent OP, On captaincy thing I think Babar has no excuse left either deliver this time or step down for good from this format. We have plenty of other candidates ready for captaincy too.

The problem is that we don't have other captaincy candidates. In which world is SSA international captain- he is like a school boy that wants to bowl, bat and also keep Wicket. Riz isn't a leader, more of deputy and chacha would Make a good candidate but his age and recent performances count against him. Naseem Shah would also be a candidate but the guys bowling has been poor and he is overweight and prone to breaking down.

 

[Bewal Express]

Still a better team than 2021 and 2022 world cups. But the thing is captain is the same and he is not doing anything different. This team has too many personal agendas ATM. Everyone is trying to make other players look bad.

Maybe giving examples of who is trying to make who look bad.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Maybe giving examples of who is trying to make who look bad.

Not worth it to discuss the same old things again. Should move on and hope that Pakistan wins this cup so all the speculations and controversies die.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Still a better team than 2021 and 2022 world cups. But the thing is captain is the same and he is not doing anything different. This team has too many personal agendas ATM. Everyone is trying to make other players look bad.

What is with Pakistan and personal agendas? Why all the time ?

 

[Energy]

Good analysis. Pakistan plays 5 pure bowlers in T20Is and then relies on Faheem, Jamal, Salman Agha to take up test bowling duties.

Cricket has surely evolved and we are left behind to eat the leftover participation crumbs. Pakistan's wins, however few, are of no noticeable significance and their losses are embarrassing because they play 75% of their cricket with associate nations.

 

[MenInG]

I don't know if @Markhor even expected a loss vs USA!

 

[happydavy]

It's true for India as well, and lets not blame our boards, its the public. Only in these 2 countries, media and social media, ex-players, commentators, passionate (almost obsessive) fans give so much 24x7 running commentary on who to select and who to drop, and have made many players larger than life. In any other country, hardly anyone comment on selection, and so selectors are also able to use some wisdom and try out new players. But in India we have Rohit,Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja getting selected tournaments after tournaments with proper track record of choking, same for Pakistan.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Until the quality of wickets improve both in domestic level and National team level then we will continue to see Pakistan serve up mediocrity