Strike-Rate Of 78, 75! How Babar, Rizwan's ODI Stats Have Pushed Pakistan Backwards

Rizwan, Babar strike rate issue [Source: AFP Photo]

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan might be two of the most prominent Pakistan players of the modern era, and the duo has statistics to back their greatness, with their batting averages being on the higher side. However, in recent times, a theory has been devised, stating that whenever Babar, Rizwan score runs, Pakistan tend to lose the match.

There is a belief that the dynamic duo play for their numbers, keeping the team as the secondary thought. The effect of their batting has harmed Pakistan cricket in the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies.

Babar, Rizwan performances in West Indies ODIs

(Babar, Rizwan vs WI)

• As the stats suggest, both batters have disappointed in the ongoing series, and the underlying concern has been their strike rate. While Babar's strike rate in the series has been 70.15, Rizwan's strike rate is more worrisome, as he strikes at 64.49.
• In the first ODI, Pakistan needed a tricky 281 to win the match, and in a tough chase, Babar scored 47 off 64, with a strike rate of 73.44. Meanwhile, Rizwan scored a fifty and struck at 76.81. The side almost lost the game before Hasan Nawaz, and Hussain Talat played quick-fire knocks to win the game. If it wasn't for Nawaz, and Talat's aggressive batting, the side would have lost the first game as well.
• Similarly, in the second ODI, Babar was dismissed for a duck, while Rizwan played a pain-staking knock of 16 off 38, and the strike-rate once again came under scrutiny (42.11). It was Rizwan's knock which derailed Pakistan's innings, and the Men in Green failed to put up a winning total, and lost the game in a one-sided battle.

Babar, Rizwan's underlying numbers since 2024

The problem of the strike rate dates back to the start of 2024, and it has done more harm than good for the Men in Green. As per Wisden, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are the only two batters with strike rates below 80 among full-member sides in this period (2024-till today).

Since January 1, 2024, Rizwan strikes at 75.03, while Babar strikes at 78.88, which is a touch better from Rizwan, but not good enough for the international level.

In the meantime, the duo has maintained great averages (Rizwan - 40-plus, Babar, nearly 45), but it has only added to their tally, and more often than not, the Pakistan team has lost the game.

A prime example was the Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand. The Kiwis scored 320/5 in their 50-overs, and Pakistan needed to score more than 6 runs per over. However, Babar scored 64 off 90 balls, striking at 71, and this led to a humiliating loss in the tournament opener.

The duo has been a great servant for the Pakistan side, but it is time to up the ante, or else, their place could be taken away in the ODI side.

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