Karachi – A worrying trend in Pakistan cricket
In a development that has raised serious concerns among cricket analysts and fans, Pakistan’s two most prominent senior batsmen — Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam — have recorded the lowest ODI strike rates among players from all ICC full member countries since January 1, 2024.
While both players have been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting line-up for years, their recent performances in One Day Internationals (ODIs) suggest that they are struggling to adapt to the modern fast-paced demands of limited-overs cricket.
Alarming strike rate statistics
The numbers paint a worrying picture:
- Mohammad Rizwan – Strike rate: 75.03
- Babar Azam – Strike rate: 78.88
When compared to contemporary ODI batsmen from other ICC full-member nations, these figures place them at the very bottom of the list, highlighting a lack of scoring urgency.
Modern ODI cricket demands a strike rate between 85–100+ to remain competitive, especially in the middle overs where acceleration is key. This slow scoring pace can put immense pressure on the rest of the batting order and reduce the team’s chances of posting or chasing competitive totals.
Babar Azam’s form slump – A two-year struggle
Perhaps the bigger concern for Pakistan is Babar Azam’s prolonged dip in form. It has now been 712 days — nearly two full years — since he last scored a century in ODI cricket.
The last century
- Date: Asia Cup 2023 vs Nepal
- Innings: 151 runs
- Result: Match-winning performance
This innings was hailed as yet another example of Babar’s class, but ironically, it marked the beginning of his lean patch.
Since that knock, Babar has:
- Played 28 ODI innings
- Scored 929 runs at an average of 37.16
- Maintained a strike rate of 79.53, well below his career average of 87.78
- Recorded 9 fifties, with the highest score being 78
- Failed to score a century in any format — Tests, ODIs, or T20Is — since then
Five ODI ducks – signs of inconsistency
Babar’s dismissal for a duck in the second ODI against the West Indies recently was his fifth career ODI duck.
Interestingly:
- He was also dismissed for zero against Afghanistan in August 2023.
- Even though he scored two back-to-back fifties against Afghanistan earlier, his inability to convert starts into big innings has been a recurring issue.
This inconsistency has not only affected his confidence but has also made Pakistan’s top order vulnerable during crucial chases.
Decline across all formats
Babar Azam’s dip in form has not been confined to ODIs. Since the Asia Cup 2023 century:
- Tests:
- Matches: 10
- Average: 23.15
- No centuries, only 3 fifties
- T20 Internationals:
- Matches: 24
- Runs: 738
- Average: 33.54
For a player once hailed as the most technically sound batsman in the modern era, this decline has been dramatic and troubling.
Mohammad Rizwan – The quiet contributor, but too quiet?
Mohammad Rizwan’s reputation as a reliable middle-order batsman is undeniable. His consistency, temperament, and match awareness have often been praised.
However, his ODI strike rate of 75.03 in 2024 is far too low for the role he plays. In an era where teams aim for 300+ totals, a middle-order batter scoring at under 80 runs per 100 balls often hampers momentum.
Experts believe Rizwan’s style is more suited to anchoring innings, but the modern ODI game demands that even anchors switch gears quickly after settling in.
Modern ODI demands and Pakistan’s outdated approach
Over the past five years, ODI cricket has evolved into a high-scoring format. Teams like India, England, Australia, and South Africa frequently aim for scores between 320–350, with players maintaining strike rates above 90.
Pakistan, however, still seems to rely on a more conservative approach, building innings slowly and preserving wickets for the last 10 overs. While this strategy worked a decade ago, it is now often inadequate against aggressive opponents.
Expert opinions
Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja recently commented:
“Babar and Rizwan are world-class players, but their strike rates are a serious concern. You cannot play 1990s cricket in 2024. The game has changed, and adaptability is key.”
Another former cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar, was more blunt:
“If you want to compete with India, England, or Australia, you have to score fast. Slow batting is killing Pakistan’s momentum.”
Captaincy changes and mental pressure
Babar Azam’s performance decline has coincided with major leadership upheavals in Pakistan cricket:
- Removed as all-format captain
- Later dropped from the Test team
- Temporarily lost his place in the T20 side
Such instability, combined with criticism from media and fans, has likely added mental pressure, affecting his batting rhythm and confidence.
Comparisons with peers
To understand the magnitude of the problem, here’s how Babar and Rizwan’s strike rates compare to other top batsmen in 2024:
| Player | Country | Strike Rate (ODIs 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | Australia | 110.25 |
| Shubman Gill | India | 96.78 |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 94.56 |
| Jos Buttler | England | 102.14 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 78.88 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 75.03 |
These figures clearly show how far behind Pakistan’s mainstays are in the modern ODI scoring race.
Impact on Pakistan’s World Cup hopes
With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan, the form and scoring rate of senior players will be crucial.
If Babar and Rizwan continue at this pace:
- Pakistan may struggle to post competitive totals against top-tier teams.
- Younger aggressive players like Saim Ayub or Abdullah Shafique might have to shoulder more responsibility.
- Opposition bowlers will exploit their slow starts to build pressure.
The road to revival
Cricket experts suggest the following adjustments:
- Mindset change – Play with more intent from ball one.
- Shot range expansion – Develop more boundary options, especially against spin.
- Strike rotation – Avoid dot balls to keep pressure off the non-striker.
- Mental reset – Take breaks if needed to regain focus and hunger.
Babar Azam, in particular, needs one big innings to break the mental barrier and restore confidence.
Final thoughts
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan remain two of Pakistan’s finest batting talents, but the modern ODI landscape demands more than just technical elegance — it demands quick scoring, adaptability, and fearlessness.
Unless both players address their strike rate issues, Pakistan risks falling further behind in a cricket era dominated by power-hitting and aggressive play.
The upcoming months, especially with key series before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, will be critical in determining whether they can reinvent themselves and return to being true match-winners.
