
ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan’s performance has attracted attention due to a distinct feature – the absence of powerplay sixes. Despite this absence of aggressive shots in the initial overs, Pakistan has displayed remarkable resilience and determination, emphasizing that early sixes don’t always translate to One-Day International (ODI) victories.
In the context of the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan found themselves in an unusual situation. After 1100 deliveries in the tournament, they hadn’t managed to clear the boundary rope in the powerplay (0-10 overs). This statistic raised eyebrows, particularly when compared to formidable teams like England and India, renowned for their aggressive starts.
This balanced approach was evident in Pakistan’s recent clash against Australia at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In a thrilling match, Australia emerged victorious by 62 runs. Australia’s innings featured an exceptional century by David Warner, scoring 163 runs from 124 balls, and a stellar performance by Mitchell Marsh, contributing 121 runs from 108 deliveries.
In response, Pakistan displayed their fighting spirit, with Abdullah Shafique (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (70) leading the charge. Despite their valiant efforts, Pakistan’s top-order batsmen struggled to match the required run rate, mainly due to Adam Zampa’s impressive bowling display, where he secured four crucial wickets.
A standout performance came from Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s bowler, who claimed five wickets for 54 runs, showcasing his bowling prowess and determination. Despite resistance from the lower order, Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 305 in 45.3 overs. Australia’s comprehensive victory underscored their disciplined bowling, with Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis also making vital contributions.