In a format where batters have all the advantages when chasing a target, Pakistan may have secretly found a perfect weapon to neutralise the opposition in the form of Sufiyan Muqeem.
The left-armer is still finding his feet in international cricket, but has quietly etched his name into the T20I record books by registering the best economy rate in the history of the format while defending a total. The latest example of his exemplary bowling prowess came when he gave away just 20 runs in his four overs against the West Indies during the third T20I, with a wicket to his name, helping his side win the three-match series.
His astonishing economy rate when defending a total now stands at 5.27 across 33 overs bowled, the best among all bowlers from full member nations with a meaningful sample size.
Best Bowling Economy While Defending a Total:
| Player Name | Overs | Wickets | Economy Rate | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 33 | 13 | 5.27 | 13.38 |
| Ashton Agar | 47.4 | 25 | 5.30 | 10.12 |
| Samuel Badree | 87 | 29 | 5.58 | 16.75 |
| Raymond Price | 41.3 | 8 | 5.63 | 29.25 |
| Sunil Narine | 125.4 | 35 | 5.74 | 20.62 |
Muqeem has also claimed 13 of his 21 wickets at an average of 13.38 in these situations, underlining his dual value as both a run-stopper and a wicket-taker. In a format built for chaos, Sufiyan’s ability to apply a stranglehold during second innings pressure situations has made him a crucial asset in Pakistan’s bowling armoury. His control, variation, and fearless approach have made scoring off him a near-impossible task.
For a country that has produced some of the greatest spinners, Sufiyan Muqeem may be its answer for the shortest format.
As Pakistan continues its journey in the 2025 T20 calendar and beyond, Sufiyan Muqeem’s emergence as a world-class defensive spinner could be a defining advantage, not just for the team’s bowling strategy but for the future of spin bowling in the country.
