Turning the Wrong Way: Pakistan's Spin Attack Woes

image-lmkzadboPakistan's spin department failed against Sri Lanka (Source: AP Photos)

The heart-breaking loss against Sri Lanka has resulted in Pakistan failing to make the final of the Asia Cup. This is surprising since early into the tournament they were looking like favourites to win the Asia Cup. Going into the tournament Pakistan were also the number 1 team in ODI’s. Even though the injuries to Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf might have weakened an otherwise dangerous pace attack it was the spinners who were underwhelming. 

None of the spinners of Pakistan have looked threatening to the batters in this tournament. This is a huge worry for Pakistan going into the World Cup in India where there will be grounds like Sri Lanka which will give some help for the spinners. Due to their spin department being weak it was easy for the other teams to easily score runs in the middle overs. This is an issue that the Pakistan management has to solve.


Pakistan's Spin Brigade vs. the World's Spinning Stars

image-lmkwt7cdTeams Comparison in Spin Department in Asia Cup 2023

The comparison between Pakistan spinners to the other top spinners in the tournament is really big. The two teams who have been brilliant in the spin department are none other than India and Sri Lanka. These stats indicate that the Pakistan spin attack consisting of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Ifthikar haven’t really worked in this tournament. The Pakistan spinners gave 498 runs in 5 matches at an average of 45.27. 

This is high compared to Sri Lanka who are averaging 21.80 and India who are averaging only 19.93. The economy of Pakistan spinners is disappointing as well where they have a high economy rate of 6.04. This is high in terms of One day internationals especially when Indian and Sri Lankan spinners have Economy rates around 4. Even in terms of strike rate the Pakistan spinners are very high compared to India and Sri Lanka's spin attack. 

This has been a major issue where it shows that Pakistan have been easily attacked by the batters in this tournament. Pakistan spin attack has also conceded 48 boundaries that consists of 35 fours and 13 sixes which is the most in this tournament. The dot balls is also where Pakistan have struggled where they have only bowled 210 dot balls. 

This is where Sri Lanka (407) and India (242) have prospered. Even in terms of wickets Pakistan spinners have only taken 11 wickets compared to Sri Lankan spin attack who have taken 25 and Indian spin attack who have taken 15.


Conclusion

There is no excuse for Pakistan spinners failing in this tournament since these were pitches that have given a lot of help to the spinners. Shadab, even though he has been one of the best spinners for Pakistan in white ball cricket failed to live up to expectations. There is also the question of missing that extra attacking spinner as well. Pakistan were trying to fill that void with adding Iftikhar or Nawaz in the mix which failed miserably. 

This also puts pressure on the Pace attack who were forced to do most of the heavy lifting in this tournament due to the spinners failing to make big breakthroughs. Overall with Shadab not being at his best left a lot of work for part timers like Nawaz and Ifthikar who are not known to be proper bowlers.