Bowling attacks that have the edge in the World Cup 2021
*Data correct as of 16th October 2021
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With the early stages of the World Cup underway it’s time to look at the art of bowling in T20 cricket. The winner is likely to come from those eight sides that have already qualified for the Super 12 stage of the competition. Therefore, I have concentrated my analysis on these teams. In particular, I have focused on one team for the three phases of the T20 game: the powerplay, the middle overs & the final five.
Powerplay: Pakistan
Since 2017, Pakistan boasts the most successful economy rate amongst the top eight in the World Cup (7.24). The graph above shows the statistics of the top 5 most used bowlers by Pakistan in the powerplay. Of the three players going to the World Cup, there are three different bowling actions: emphasising the great variety and balance in their attack.
The attack itself is a familiar one, opening with Imad Wasim who offers a very unique option as an experienced powerplay spinner. The left arm spinner averages over 2 overs per match in the powerplay and has a wonderful return conceding less than 7 runs per over. His 75 overs are also the second most amongst any bowler in this period; experience that is always invaluable in major tournaments. Thereafter, you have the pace options, both left and right arm, that balance this attack very nicely.
Both Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali are superstars highlighted by a wonderfully low economy rate in the powerplay. The collection of experience, variation & balance could work very well for Pakistan. If they can adapt quickly to the conditions that are presented early in the competition, they will become a major threat to taking the title home.
Middle Overs: Afghanistan
One bowling trend dominates in the middle overs of T20 fixtures across the world, spin in the middle overs. Data shows that apart from England and the West Indies, spin is the driving force in this period. In fact, amongst the top 8, there is 60:40 spin to pace ratio in these overs since 2017.
Afghanistan is bang on this trend; 62% of their overs came from spin in this period. Yet, unlike many a nation, it is the superior nature of this spin which makes them a real standout attack in this tournament. The chart shows the economy rate of each nation by bowling action in T20I. Afghanistan’s spinners have a 17% better economy rate in the middle overs compared to their pace counterparts. This is the best differential amongst all nations. The high-quality names of Mohammed Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman have been gracing the T20 leagues across the world for the last few years. In T20I, the two names go at 6.87 per over, which alone would come in third in the above chart. This is then topped off by the leader of the attack in the idolised Rashid Khan, who has bowled 27% of Afghan overs in this period since 2017. Khan in the middle overs is both a run stopper (an economy of 5.44 per over) and a wicket grabber (takes a wicket every 13 runs conceded). Expect him to deliver at a major tournament once again.
One caveat must be mentioned; Afghanistan have only played 20% of their games against these top 8 nations, of which all have been against the West Indies. Equally, it must also be put forward that all these players cited above have played in the top T20 leagues around the world meaning their exposure to high quality talent & pressure environments is as good as any other player. Given the trend we have seen in the IPL in the UAE over the last few weeks, spin will play a key role in the competition. Although Afghanistan are unlikely to win the World Cup, they can certainly beat one of the favourites and highlight their growing talent can be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.
Final Five: India
The crunch overs of a T20 game; often so difficult to get right. Most teams across this period of the game are evenly matched, Afghanistan, Australia, Pakistan, India and West Indies have an economy rate under 9 an over & all teams apart from England average between 17–18 runs per wicket.
India stands out above all the teams for one particular reason: Jasprit Bumrah. The unorthodox action has become a real hit in all formats of cricket over the past couple of years. His T20I results since 2017, certainly follow this trend. The above chart highlights that Bumrah is the most effective pace bowler amongst his counterparts. His economy of 7.42 is nearly 2 runs per over better than his nearest World Cup rival Hasan Ali. His consistency will offer the India team a reliable operator in the final five overs & allow Virat Kohli to plan his attack around the pacemen. With teams struggling to score big runs against Bumrah, they will likely take bigger risks against the bowler at the opposing end, presenting that collective with the opportunity to take more wickets. This will certainly help India prevent teams from getting away from them in those final five overs.
