A deep-dive into Pakistan’s no show in the ODI World Cup 2023 so far

Some weeks ago, Pakistan was considered one of the top favourites to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023, but things changed dramatically after a forgettable Asia Cup and a below-par performance in the first half of the World Cup. Now, after a one-sided loss against Afghanistan, Pakistan’s qualification chances in the knockout stages are looking grim and their only chance to qualify for the knockouts is by winning their remaining four matches and expecting some luck to go their way.

But what has gone for the Men in Green in this tournament and why have been they struggling against big teams after winning their two matches convincingly against the qualifiers Sri Lanka and the Netherlands?

Timid Approach from the Openers

Pakistan's sluggish starts in the 2023 World Cup are costing them dearly. With Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique failing to fire in the powerplay, Pakistan has the fourth-worst scoring rate and second-worst boundary percentage in the first 10 overs. Despite losing a few wickets, they have failed to put the opposition's bowling attack under pressure early in the innings.

Babar Azam Mediocre show in the World Cup

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who was predicted to be one of the leading run-scorers in the 2023 World Cup, has so far been underwhelmed with just 157 runs at an average of 31.40 and a strike rate of 79.69. He has struggled particularly against spin, with an average of 27 and a strike rate of 60.9. 

Babar has got out thrice against spinners in the tournament so far and has the second-worst strike rate and worst balls/boundary (33.3) percentage against spinners in this World Cup - a minimum of 100 balls faced. This has put a lot of pressure on his opening partner, Mohammad Rizwan, who has been Pakistan's best batter in the tournament.

Ineffective Spin Attack

Pakistan's spin attack, which was always going to be a liability at the World Cup, has been woefully ineffective. Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, and Iftikhar Ahmed have taken just six wickets between them at an average of 101 and a strike rate of 96.5. All four are among the worst spinners in the tournament, and their poor performances have contributed to Pakistan conceding 280-plus totals in four of their five matches.

Rauf’s poor show and fielding blunders

Harris Rauf who started his World Cup with a good 3 wickets against the Netherlands has been ineffective since then. Pakistan's seamers have been the worst in the tournament, with Haris Rauf having the second-worst economy (6.97) and the most sixes conceded (11). He has tried to bounce out every batter, but it has backfired against world-class batsmen like Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Kusal Mendis.

On top of that Pakistan’s poor show has not helped their cause one bit. They have been extremely lacklustre in both aspects of their fielding whether it has been their catching or ground fielding. Pakistan’s poor fielding has been their nemesis in World Cups and in this World Cup against Australia dropping Warner cost them big time as he went on to make 150 runs.