Since 2023, the board and leadership of the Pakistani team have changed multiple times. Apart from the many board downs over the past two years, there was a noticeable level of scrutiny following the team’s defeats in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Critics declared that the nation’s cricket had fallen to new depths when the team suffered its first Test defeat to Bangladesh in red-ball cricket history.
A startling statistic that highlights the main disadvantage of Pakistan’s Test defeat has surfaced as the team prepares for its August 31 second Test match against Bangladesh. Pakistan has had the second-lowest opening wicket average in the longest format since 2023. Ireland has only played six Tests compared to Pakistan’s seven, therefore the difference is only 0.2.
Teams with the lowest average for opening wicket in Tests since 2023:
| Team | Average |
| Ireland | 13.00 |
| Pakistan | 13.20 |
| Bangladesh | 23.75 |
| Afghanistan | 26.5 |
Everlasting opening pair puzzle
Especially considering their opening position, the Men in Green’s chop and change behaviour has not gone over well. Before Imam was benched, the team’s starting pair consisted of Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and Imam-Ul-Haq. With the usual swap, the three failed to contribute even a single for the first wicket three times.
Also Read: Shan Masood hits a fast fifty in his grow partnership with Saim Ayub
In a December 2023 match in Perth versus Australia, Pakistan’s greatest opening partnership since January 2023 was 74 runs. Additionally, in five innings as Pakistan’s opener, Ayub has managed just 98 runs at an average of 24.50. However, since 2023, Imam has started the first nine innings for the squad. At an average of 30, the southpaw managed to score a mere 256 runs.
Home