Pakistan's scoring-rate in middle overs: Where do they rank?

New Zealand beat Pakistan by four runs in the fourth T20I on Thursday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Pakistan scored only 74 runs between 7-15 overs as they failed to chase a target of 179 runs.

This subpar performance in the middle overs highlights a recurring issue for Pakistan in T20I cricket, stirring concerns about their ability to sustain momentum. 

The team's middle-order batting has long been under scrutiny, and their scoring rate during overs 7-15, which stands at 7.30, is indicative of their struggles. 

This rate places them ahead of only Afghanistan in terms of scoring prowess during this crucial phase of the game. In contrast, teams like Australia, South Africa, and India boast significantly higher scoring rates during the same overs, with Australia leading the pack at 9.75, followed closely by South Africa at 9.35, and India at 8.97.

 As the T20 World Cup looms, Pakistan faces the pressing task of addressing their middle-order woes to remain competitive on the global stage.

Scoring rate in overs 7-15:

• 9.75 — Australia
• 9.35 — South Africa
• 8.97 — India
• 8.56 — West Indies
• 8.22 — Sri Lanka
• 8.20 — England
• 8.07 — New Zealand
• 7.46 — Ireland
• 7.36 — Bangladesh
• 7.30 — Pakistan
• 7.01 — Afghanistan