Babar and Shadab Fail as Leaders - Report Card of Pakistan for World Cup 2023

image-lovi54paBabar Azam failed to justify his reputation in World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

Pakistan's journey in the 2023 Cricket World Cup took a familiar turn as they faced another disappointing exit. Oddly enough, it seems to be a recurring theme for Pakistan to keep their semi-final hopes alive, only to be confronted with seemingly impossible tasks to secure a spot among the top four teams.

Pakistan's struggle to make it to the semi-finals is evident, with their lone appearance in 2011 since the heartbreak of losing the final to Australia in 1999. The recent exit adds another chapter to their World Cup journey, marked by close calls and missed opportunities.

Analysing Pakistan’s Player Rating in the World Cup

Top Order Players

Imam-ul-Haq - 4/10

In six games, he averaged 27 with only one fifty, falling below expectations. This lack of substantial contributions deems his overall performance as disappointing, warranting a rating of 4/10.

Abdullah Shafique - 7/10

Abdullah Shafique had a stellar World Cup, showcasing his prowess with a 42 average, 3 fifties, and a hundred. His consistent performances earned him a well-deserved rating of 7/10, proving himself as a standout player in the tournament.

Babar Azam - 5/10

Babar Azam, with a 40 average and 4 fifties, faced challenges in converting starts into substantial scores. Despite his undeniable talent, his inability to make a significant impact lowers his rating to 5/10, falling short of proving his full potential in the World Cup.


Middle Order Players

Mohammad Rizwan - 7/10

Mohammad Rizwan's World Cup performance stands out with a remarkable 65.8 average in 8 games, including 1 fifty and 1 hundred. His consistency and excellent keeping skills earn him a solid rating of 7/10, making him one of Pakistan's most reliable players.

Saud Shakeel - 6/10

Saud Shakeel's contributions in 7 games, averaging 34.4 with 2 fifties, exceed expectations, showcasing him as a promising young talent. Given his impactful performance, he receives a commendable rating of 6/10.

Iftikhar Ahmed - 4/10

On the contrary, Iftikhar Ahmed's World Cup display in 8 games, with an average of 23.6, designates him as the weakest link in Pakistan's middle order. His underwhelming performance results in a rating of 4/10, highlighting the struggles and disappointment during the tournament.

Shadab Khan - 3/10

Shadab Khan's all-round performance in the World Cup, with a batting average of 28.3 and a bowling average of 118.5, is disappointing. With only 2 wickets, he receives a rating of 3/10, falling short of expectations in both departments.


Bowlers

Mohammad Nawaz - 3/10

Mohammad Nawaz's World Cup stint, marked by only 2 wickets, a bowling average of 111.5, and a strike rate of 113.5, positions him as the weakest spinner in the tournament, earning a rating of 3/10.

Shaheen Shah Afridi - 7/10

Shaheen Shah Afridi had a decent campaign, securing 18 wickets in 9 games with a strike rate of 27. Although a solid performance, it doesn't fully meet expectations, resulting in a rating of 7/10.

Haris Rauf - 5/10

Haris Rauf, despite claiming 16 wickets in 9 games, faced challenges with 16 conceded sixes, making him the most expensive Pakistani bowler. His campaign is evaluated at 5/10, acknowledging both successes and setbacks.

Hasan Ali - 5/10

Hasan Ali's comeback saw him take 9 wickets in 6 games with a strike rate of 34, marking a decent campaign. His performance earns a rating of 5/10, reflecting a satisfactory return to international cricket.


Conclusion

Pakistan should approach upcoming ICC tournaments with a strategic focus on addressing key areas of improvement. Emphasis should be placed on bolstering the middle-order batting and enhancing spin-bowling options to provide a more balanced and reliable performance. Learning from individual player performances, particularly the promising displays of emerging talents, will be crucial in shaping a competitive and resilient team.