Pakistan’s Middle Order Makes A Major ODI Comeback Since 2022
Pakistan’s middle-order batting has shown the biggest improvement among 10 international teams in One-Day Internationals since August 2022. The figures highlight a significant turnaround in a department that previously struggled to deliver consistent runs.
The comparison, featured during the ongoing Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka tri-series, examines batters occupying positions five to seven across two periods: January 2020 to July 2022 and August 2022 onwards.
Pakistan’s average in these positions has climbed from just 19.08 to 33.49 runs, marking an improvement of 14.41. This is the largest increase recorded by any team in the comparison.
Before August 2022, Pakistan had the lowest middle-order average among the 10 teams assessed. Its latest figure places it third, narrowly behind India at 33.57 and South Africa at 36.80.
Pakistan is not alone in making progress. The West Indies have improved their average by 4.37 runs, while Sri Lanka has gained 3.40. The other seven teams have recorded declines over the same comparison periods.
The sharpest drops belong to New Zealand, whose average fell by 18.46, and India, which declined by 10.59. These figures underline how dramatically middle-order performances can shift across different periods of international cricket.
A stronger middle order gives Pakistan more options when early wickets fall and creates opportunities to build competitive totals. Batters at positions five to seven often have to balance rebuilding an innings with accelerating the scoring in its final stages.
The latest numbers offer encouraging evidence of progress, although batting averages alone cannot establish how effectively a team performs under pressure or finishes matches. Strike rates, match situations and consistency remain important measures of success.
With Pakistan now recording the biggest improvement in the comparison, the challenge is to sustain that progress in future ODI competitions.
Pakistan’s middle-order batting has shown the biggest improvement among 10 international teams in One-Day Internationals since August 2022.
Pakistan’s middle-order batting has shown the biggest improvement among 10 international teams in One-Day Internationals since August 2022. The figures highlight a significant turnaround in a department that previously struggled to deliver consistent runs.
The comparison, featured during the ongoing Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka tri-series, examines batters occupying positions five to seven across two periods: January 2020 to July 2022 and August 2022 onwards.
Pakistan’s average in these positions has climbed from just 19.08 to 33.49 runs, marking an improvement of 14.41. This is the largest increase recorded by any team in the comparison.
Before August 2022, Pakistan had the lowest middle-order average among the 10 teams assessed. Its latest figure places it third, narrowly behind India at 33.57 and South Africa at 36.80.
Pakistan is not alone in making progress. The West Indies have improved their average by 4.37 runs, while Sri Lanka has gained 3.40. The other seven teams have recorded declines over the same comparison periods.
The sharpest drops belong to New Zealand, whose average fell by 18.46, and India, which declined by 10.59. These figures underline how dramatically middle-order performances can shift across different periods of international cricket.
A stronger middle order gives Pakistan more options when early wickets fall and creates opportunities to build competitive totals. Batters at positions five to seven often have to balance rebuilding an innings with accelerating the scoring in its final stages.
The latest numbers offer encouraging evidence of progress, although batting averages alone cannot establish how effectively a team performs under pressure or finishes matches. Strike rates, match situations and consistency remain important measures of success.
With Pakistan now recording the biggest improvement in the comparison, the challenge is to sustain that progress in future ODI competitions.
