Pakistan after Ireland in teams with lowest opening partnerships average in Tests since 2023

Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. (Source – Pakistan Cricket)

Pakistan team has undergone several changes within leadership and the board since 2023. Barring the frequent down of the board over two years, the scrutiny was palpable after the team succumbed in World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024. The team lost its first Test against Bangladesh in the history of red-ball cricket and the critics exclaimed that the country’s cricket has hit a new low.

As Pakistan enters the second Test against Bangladesh on August 31, a glaring stat has emerged, showcasing the major drawback of the team’s failure in Tests. Since 2023, Pakistan have the second-lowest average for an opening wicket in the longest format. They are just Ireland with a narrow 0.2 margin, who have played six Tests in comparison with Pakistan’s seven.

Teams with the lowest average for opening wicket in Tests since 2023:

The Men in Green’s chop and change behavior has not gone down well, particularly for their opening slot. Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and Imam-Ul-Haq comprised the options the team had gone with for the opening pair before Imam was dropped. The trio failed to add even a single for the opening wicket thrice, given the regular swap.

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The highest opening partnership for Pakistan since January 2023 is 74 runs that came against Australia in December 2023 at Perth. Moreover, Ayub has opened for Pakistan in five innings and has scored just 98 runs at an average of 24.50. On the other hand, Imam opened for the team in nine innings since 2023. The southpaw scored just 256 runs at an average of 30.