Pakistan and England in T20Is: A Clash of Philosophies and Brands of Cricket highlighted in numbers

[Markhor]

Since the Asia Cup final defeat, much has been said about Pakistan's more attritional brand of cricket compared to other nations. With a 7-match T20I series coming up against a team that's epitomised aggression in white ball cricket in England, it's useful to study the numbers.

Both teams have contrasting fortunes with Pakistan winning 8 from their last 12, and England winning 4 from their last 11. For the sake of this analysis, only matches involving top 10 ICC ranked T20I teams are included since the 2021 T20 WC.



https://tinyurl.com/4vuxwvdc

The international average is 24.24/8.03 (batting) and 24.95/8.09 (bowling). Therefore you can see Pakistan fare worse than the international average with the bat, but better with the ball. England are worse in runs per dismissal, but way ahead in scoring rate. As a bowling unit, they are statistically the worst in the top 10.

For reference - India have the best batting unit (32.06/9.06); Australia possess the best bowling lineup (19.00/7.25).

Now it's difficult to interpret T20I performances outside World Cups to any great depth given the wide variance of players used and strength of opposition - whereas England tend to name experimental squads, Pakistan treat them like life and death.

However I'll give another plug to the excellent book Hitting Against the Spin authored by two leading cricket statisticians, one of whom worked with Multan Sultans. I won't give too much away because I encourage everyone to read it - but their section on T20 cricket is particularly enlightening. They highlight there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to play T20 cricket BUT some styles of play are more effective at countering certain setups.

They'd classify current Pakistan as an "AA" side - a simplified category typifying sides that bat slower at a higher dismissal rate with a better bowling unit than average; and England as a "CD" side - who bat quicker with a higher dismissal rate and take less wickets at a worse economy than than par. According to data from T20 leagues, Pakistan-like sides enjoy a narrow advantage over England-like opponents.

However, Pakistan-like teams on the T20 circuit fare worst against a particular type of outfit - those that bat quicker than the norm who lose more wickets than average with strong bowling attacks relative to international standards - with an 11% win rate.

The point being - I'm not arguing Pakistan's T20 formula should be completely overhauled. You can enjoy a degree of success playing the Babar/Saqlain way. However the statistics demonstrably show the limits of this approach against aggressive teams who don't obsess over preserving wickets.

Will Pakistan in this series and NZ tri-series bank on the usual formula or will we show flexibility ?

[Markhor]

Just to add - I realise franchise cricket is not international cricket, and there's always exceptions to the data trends.

Yes we've beat India two out of three times recently with our formula, who fit the mould of a team who beats a Pakistan-like T20 franchise 89% of the time in league cricket.

But please bear in mind those matches were in UAE where chasers enjoy a big advantage, and par scores are lower. And our overall T20I record vs them is still poor.

Will the same formula work on a truer surface at the MCG on October 23rd in a country where India have far more experience (and success) than us ?

All I'm saying is for our management to just TRY to adapt and show flexibility in your thinking.

[Nasty Naz]

However, Pakistan-like teams on the T20 circuit fare worst against a particular type of outfit - those that bat quicker than the norm who lose more wickets than average with strong bowling attacks relative to international standards - with an 11% win rate.

Thats Australian dominance over Pakistan summed up in a nutshell. Good read.

I remember in last year's WC wanting to face England over Australia simply because there's a chance for our bowlers to dominate despite England's powerful batting but good batting & elite bowling Australians have? It's an extremely tough matchup for Pakistan who often win because of their bowling.

It still feels crazy to look at what England has become after being such a so-so side for such a long time. Even when they were good, they were boring and not all that dissimilar to Pakistan's approach prior to 2015. Truly a legendary shift in philosophy & approach.

Now, while it would be great for Pakistan to make that same shift like England, I don't think it's feasibly possible with the players they have. But, NZ is a pretty well balanced side who isn't extreme on batting like England/India nor elite on bowling quite like Australia and maybe that's more of the shift Pakistan can embrace with the resources at their disposal.

[Rana]

Thats Australian dominance over Pakistan summed up in a nutshell. Good read.

I remember in last year's WC wanting to face England over Australia simply because there's a chance for our bowlers to dominate despite England's powerful batting but good batting & elite bowling Australians have? It's an extremely tough matchup for Pakistan who often win because of their bowling.

It still feels crazy to look at what England has become after being such a so-so side for such a long time. Even when they were good, they were boring and not all that dissimilar to Pakistan's approach prior to 2015. Truly a legendary shift in philosophy & approach.

Now, while it would be great for Pakistan to make that same shift like England, I don't think it's feasibly possible with the players they have. But, NZ is a pretty well balanced side who isn't extreme on batting like England/India nor elite on bowling quite like Australia and maybe that's more of the shift Pakistan can embrace with the resources at their disposal.

It’s very much possible. I guarantee it. It’s possible.

For a new idea to be born, the old idea must die. Completely die. You have to be willing to be 10 all out, for many months if it must be. But it can happen, it will happen.

[MenInG]

Excellent post as usual @Markhor

There are many vested interests in play at the moment, so I don't expect anything big to happen for a little while.

[MenInG]

Excellent post as usual @Markhor

There are many vested interests in play at the moment, so I don't expect anything big to happen for a little while.

Now added to our Beyond the Boundary section.

http://www.pakpassion.net/beyond-the...n-numbers.html

[Forum363]

Since the Asia Cup final defeat, much has been said about Pakistan's more attritional brand of cricket compared to other nations. With a 7-match T20I series coming up against a team that's epitomised aggression in white ball cricket in England, it's useful to study the numbers.

Both teams have contrasting fortunes with Pakistan winning 8 from their last 12, and England winning 4 from their last 11. For the sake of this analysis, only matches involving top 10 ICC ranked T20I teams are included since the 2021 T20 WC.



https://tinyurl.com/4vuxwvdc

The international average is 24.24/8.03 (batting) and 24.95/8.09 (bowling). Therefore you can see Pakistan fare worse than the international average with the bat, but better with the ball. England are worse in runs per dismissal, but way ahead in scoring rate. As a bowling unit, they are statistically the worst in the top 10.

For reference - India have the best batting unit (32.06/9.06); Australia possess the best bowling lineup (19.00/7.25).

Now it's difficult to interpret T20I performances outside World Cups to any great depth given the wide variance of players used and strength of opposition - whereas England tend to name experimental squads, Pakistan treat them like life and death.

However I'll give another plug to the excellent book Hitting Against the Spin authored by two leading cricket statisticians, one of whom worked with Multan Sultans. I won't give too much away because I encourage everyone to read it - but their section on T20 cricket is particularly enlightening. They highlight there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to play T20 cricket BUT some styles of play are more effective at countering certain setups.

They'd classify current Pakistan as an "AA" side - a simplified category typifying sides that bat slower at a higher dismissal rate with a better bowling unit than average; and England as a "CD" side - who bat quicker with a higher dismissal rate and take less wickets at a worse economy than than par. According to data from T20 leagues, Pakistan-like sides enjoy a narrow advantage over England-like opponents.

However, Pakistan-like teams on the T20 circuit fare worst against a particular type of outfit - those that bat quicker than the norm who lose more wickets than average with strong bowling attacks relative to international standards - with an 11% win rate.

The point being - I'm not arguing Pakistan's T20 formula should be completely overhauled. You can enjoy a degree of success playing the Babar/Saqlain way. However the statistics demonstrably show the limits of this approach against aggressive teams who don't obsess over preserving wickets.

Will Pakistan in this series and NZ tri-series bank on the usual formula or will we show flexibility ?

Great post. Multan Sultaan were the first team I actively saw use statistics effectively.

If anyone has seen the movie, I was referring to it as the 'Moneyball' approach.

I wish Pakistan would use data more.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Excellent post as usual @Markhor

There are many vested interests in play at the moment, so I don't expect anything big to happen for a little while.

Hate this. I have no idea what you are talking about. What vested interests. And you won’t even divulge anything. So here I am…hanging.

On topic, what an excellent thread by the very excellent @Markhor. Simple use of data to make a very good point.