Pakistan’s Performances: Tests vs T20Is

Pakistan has been a competitive team in international cricket, with success in various formats of the game. The Pakistan cricket team achieved victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1992 and has consistently shown competitiveness in limited-overs cricket. In Test cricket, Pakistan has produced outstanding players and reached significant milestones. They have experienced periods of dominance, especially at home, with memorable victories against strong opposition teams. However, they have also faced inconsistency and struggled while playing overseas.

In recent years, Pakistan has performed well in limited-overs cricket, showcasing great potential and achieving notable victories. The team achieved success in the ICC Champions Trophy, winning the tournament in 2017. In T20 internationals, Pakistan has consistently ranked among the top teams, with outstanding individual performances. Their recent achievement was reaching the final of the T20 World Cup 2022. Unfortunately, they faced defeat in the final against England, missing out on another ICC trophy.

Pakistan Cricket Team – Performance in Test Cricket

Pakistan has a rich history in Test cricket, producing exceptional players and achieving success against various opponents. They have won Test series against top cricketing nations like England, Australia, and South Africa, both at home and away. Notable series victories include the 1992 win against England, the 1994 win against Zimbabwe, and the 2012 win in England.

However, in the past decade, Pakistan has faced a decline in the red-ball format, struggling to win crucial fixtures against strong teams. In recent times, during the 2022-23 Test season, Pakistan played four away Test series against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh. They only managed to win against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, while the series against Sri Lanka and West Indies ended in draws.

In the home series, Pakistan faced three cricketing giants – Australia,, New Zealand, and England. The Test series against New Zealand ended in a draw, but they suffered defeats against England (0-3) and Australia (0-1) at home. It was the first time Pakistan experienced a whitewash at home against England.

Currently, Pakistan holds the 6th rank in the ICC Men’s Test rankings. They have struggled to make an impact in the second edition of the World Test Championship, and the future appears uncertain for the team.

Pakistan Cricket Team – Performance in T20 Cricket

In the shortest format of cricket, Pakistan has performed relatively well, currently ranking 4th in the Men’s T20 International rankings. One of the key reasons for their success in T20 cricket is the talented players selected for the senior team based on their performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The PSL has gained momentum, with domestic players consistently delivering for their franchises. The presence of quality bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Ali has bolstered the team’s bowling attack. Spin duo Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim have proven effective against stronger teams in crucial matches.

On the batting front, captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman have provided solid starts in every tournament. The trio has been consistent and played crucial innings for Pakistan in the T20 format. Power hitters like Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, and Shoaib Malik have handled the pressure of scoring runs in the middle order.

The future of Pakistan cricket appears bright in T20 cricket. However, with the start of the new World Test Championship cycle, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will need to take significant steps to improve the quality of red-ball cricket in the country.