T20 World Cup 2022: Rating and Ranking the Pacers of all Teams
England, the standout as we look at the ranking and rating of the best pacers attack of the top 10 teams for T20 World Cup 2022.
Australia and Pace bowling is probably the most deadly combination you would see for this T20 World cup. The location favours pace bowling, and apart from investing in quality batters, the pace attack is one thing that all teams have invested in.
Needless to say, all teams have at least 3-4 quality pacers in their line-up, which would strengthen their bowling further; especially the powerplay and death bowling. So, on that note, we compared the top 4 pacers of each team, and arrived at the unique rankings that define the pace attack of the top 10 teams.
To arrive at the rankings, we will consider the ICC T20 bowling rankings of the top 4 pacers of each team as on October 17, 2022. Each pacer will then be relatively rated basis of their ICC rankings. Finally, a cumulative rating shall arrive for the four pacers to calculate the final ranking. Meanwhile, as per the leading cricket website, Betway, Virat Kohli is the best-ranked pacer with Odds at 11.0.
Ranking of the Pacers Attack of the Top 10 Teams for T20 World Cup 2022
#10: Bangladesh – 5.7
Top 4 Pacers: Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hoosain, Taskin Ahmed & Hasan Mahmud
At number 10, we have Bangladesh, who do not have a strong pace contingent as compared to the other 6 teams. Mustafizur Rahman is their best pacer, who is ranked 45. He is followed by Taskin Ahmed at 62 and Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud are yet to enter the top 100. Overall, Bangladesh have a rating of 5.7 for their pace attack.
#9: Sri Lanka – 5.9
Top 4 Pacers: Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madhusudhan & Lahiru Kumara
At number 9, we have Sri Lanka, whose rating decreases due to the loss of Dilshan Madhushanka. Chamika Karunaratne is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 47. He is followed by Dusmantha Chameera at 50 and Lahiru Kumara at 65. Whereas Pramod Madhushanka is yet to enter the top 100. Overall, Sri Lanka have a cumulative rating of 5.9 for their pace attack.
#8: Afghanistan – 6.3
Top 4 Pacers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Fareed Ahmad & Azmatullah Omarzai
Afghanistan are marginally ahead of Sri Lanka at the number 8 position with a cumulative rating of 6.3. Fazalhaq Farooqi is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 37. He is followed by Naveen Ul Haq at 51. Whereas Fareed Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai are yet to enter the top 100.
#7: West Indies – 6.5
Top 4 Pacers: Obed McCoy, Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell & Alzarri Joseph
Known for their flamboyant batting, West Indies pace attack find themselves at the number 7 position. The team does have a potent pace attack on paper with the likes of Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder, and Sheldon Cottrell. However, their problem is their performance at the International stage. Obed McCoy is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 42, which is too low. He is followed by Holder at 44, Cottrell at 67, and Joseph at 74.
#6: India – 7.3
Top 4 Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh & Mohammed Shami
Team India are at the number 6 position with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Shami being the top 4 pacers. India would miss Jasprit Bumrah a lot as that would have taken India to the number 4 position. In terms of ranking, Bhuvi is the third best-ranked pacer. He is followed by Harshal at 40. Whereas Arshdeep Singh is ranked 53, and Mohammed Shami is yet to enter the top 100. Overall, India have a cumulative rating of 7.3 for their pace attack.
#5: Australia – 7.8
Top 4 Pacers: Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins
Number 5 might surprise you as we have Australia in this position. Honestly, Australia have a potent pace attack in the form of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Kane Richardson. But since their ICC ranking isn’t great, their overall cumulative rating is just 7.8. Josh Harwood is the best-ranked pacer with an ICC rank of 1. But apart from him, Starc is ranked 41, Cummins is 49, and Richardson is 52.
#4: Pakistan – 8.1
Top 4 Pacers: Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah & Mohammad Hasnain
Coming to number 4, we have Pakistan. On paper, the pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Wasim is definitely lethal, but their ICC rankings are slightly low. Haris Rauf is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 15. He is followed by Mohammad Wasim at 33, Shaheen Afridi at 39 and Naseem Shah is yet to enter the top 100. Overall, Pakistan have a cumulative rating of 8.1 for their pace attack.
#3: South Africa – 8.2
Top 4 Pacers: Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi & Wayne Parnell
South Africa are at the number 3 position for their pace attack. The team has an amazing pace quartet in the likes of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Wayne Parnell. There’s sheer pace and guile in all four pacers. Anrich Nortje is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 16. He is followed by Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Wayne Parnell. Dwaine Pretorius would have improved their ranking had he been there. Nevertheless, South Africa get a cumulative rating of 8.2 for the pacers category.
#2: New Zealand – 8.3
Top 4 Pacers: Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult & Adam Milne
Number 2 sees New Zealand, who would once again rely on their consistent set of pacers. Trent Boult leads the attack with an ICC rank of 19. He is followed by Tim Southee at 21 and Lockie Ferguson at 30. Adam Milne is their fourth-best pacer. The best thing about New Zealand’s pace attack is that they have been playing the same set of pacers since the 2021 T20 World Cup.
#1: England – 9.6
Top 4 Pacers: Reece Topley, Chris Jordan, Sam Curran & Mark Wood
Talking about the best pace attack, it goes to England, who have pacers with best overall ICC rank. Reece Topley is their best pacer with an ICC rank of 11. He is followed by Mark Wood at 18, Sam Curran at 25 and Chris Jordan at 29. However, England could play Wood, Topley, and Woakes as their first-choice pacers. Overall, the England team get a cumulative rating of 9.6 for their pace attack.
So, that’s about the ranking and rating of the pace attack of all teams for T20 World Cup 2022. England and South Africa stand out with their pacers. However, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan are equally good. For India, the pace is not their strength. Had Bumrah been there, it would have been lethal. But for now, India would need magic with the kind of pacers they have on offer.
Thanks for reading! Which team has the best pacers attack for T20 World Cup 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2022: Ranking the Best Openers of all Teams
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
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