Pakistan's T20I team, hush now, is gradually getting a clearer picture
In a notable shift in strategy, Pakistan has left out star batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year. This decision seems to have paid off, as the team has shown a more dynamic and less reliant approach in recent matches.
Since their departure, the main bowlers in Pakistan's last 16 T20Is have included Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and Hasan Ali. Shaheen Afridi, leading in wickets taken and economy rate among them, has been a standout performer.
The team's batting has also undergone a structural shift. Pakistan has managed to score 180 nine times in 38 T20Is from January 2023 to December 2024, and seven times in 16 innings already this year. This newfound batting prowess is evident in the performances of players like Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Salman Ali Agha. These players have all made 40 or more runs at a strike rate above 150 in the last five overs.
Hasan Nawaz, in particular, has been impressive, hitting 33 sixes in 16 innings. Another notable addition to the lower order is Khushdil Shah, who brings a left-arm angle and power-hitting to the team.
The Pakistan T20I side now looks more dangerous than in years, though they might not be currently considered "Asia's second-best team". The team is currently playing with more freedom and less reliance on specific players, which has resulted in a win/loss ratio of 1.285 since leaving out Rizwan and Babar.
Interestingly, six batters have scored over 100 runs at a strike rate above 140 in 2025, and six Pakistan players this year have scored at least 80 runs and taken a wicket, including Ayub and Agha from the top order.
In terms of bowling, Pakistan's attack remains their strongest suit. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Muqeem, Hasan Ali, Abbas Afridi, and Salman Mirza form a formidable unit. Shadab Khan offers leg-spin and the ability to score quickly through the middle overs, while Hasan Nawaz provides a left-arm orthodox option.
Faheem Ashraf at No.8 adds depth with the bat and can reliably bowl four overs of seam. This versatility has been crucial in Pakistan's recent success.
Despite the impressive performances, Babar and Rizwan's combined strike rate in T20Is between January 2023 and December 2024 was only 128.17. It appears that Pakistan has moved on from these two stars in T20I cricket, focusing instead on a more balanced and dynamic approach.
As the T20 World Cup in India approaches, it will be interesting to see how this new-look Pakistan team performs on the global stage.
