🔍 Why Sufiyan Muqeem Is Pakistan’s Go-To Death Overs Specialist
Pakistan may have match-winners with bat and pace, but they’ve quietly unearthed a T20 gem in Sufiyan Muqeem. The 25-year-old left-arm wrist spinner is redefining death-overs control.
In high-pressure T20 chases, where batting sides dominate, Sufiyan Muqeem stands out as a rare bowler who consistently controls the game. His numbers speak volumes:
- Economy rate of just 5.27 across 33 overs in T20Is defending targets
- Best among all full-member nation bowlers with a meaningful sample size
- 13 wickets at average 13.38 in those scenarios—both stopper and match-turner
📊 Incredible Economy Rate While Defending
According to Cricketory, Muqeem holds the best economy rate in T20Is when defending targets:
| Player Name | Overs | Wickets | Economy | 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 |
| Sunil Narine | 125.4 | 35 | 5.74 | 20.62 |
Muqeem’s economy of 5.27 is lower than every other full‑member bowler with meaningful data.
🚀 Career-Highlight: 5/3 vs Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)
In December 2024, Muqeem delivered a spell that shook Zimbabwe to its core:
- Took 5 wickets for just 3 runs in 2.4 overs
- Zimbabwe were bundled out for 57, their lowest ever T20 total
- Pakistan chased in 5.3 overs, winning by 10 wickets
That remains the best-ever T20I spell for Pakistan, overtaking Umar Gul’s 5/6 record
🧾 Career Snapshot and Background
- Debut: T20I debut in Oct 2023 vs Hong Kong during Asian Games. T20I cap no. 109.
- Career Stats (T20I): 9 matches, 16 wickets, bowling average 11.62, best figures 5/3, economy ~6.26 overall.
- Domestic Clubs: Peshawar Zalmi (PSL), Dolphins. From Azad Kashmir, rising from tape‑ball cricket to national limelight
🧱 Consistent Wicket-Taker: South Africa ODI Performance
In South Africa (Dec 2024), Muqeem played a key role defending Pakistan’s 308:
- Figures: 4 wickets for 52 runs in 8 overs
- Helped bowl South Africa out for 271 (DLS), securing a series-clinching win via DLS by 36 runs
⚙️ Style, Skill & Strategy: What Makes Him So Effective
- Unpredictable Wrist Spin: Mixes googlies, slopers, and subtle drift—tough to read under pressure.
- Dot Ball Dominance: Thrives in situations when batters scramble for runs.
- Wicket-taking Ability: 13 wickets at an average of 13.38 in defense situations confirms he’s not just a stopper, but a match-turner .
🔎 Low Pressure, High Reward: Defending Shows His Strength
India Today, Dawn, and other outlets have praised the way Zimbabwe collapsed under Muqeem’s spin—perfect example of resourceful bowling under pressure. Pakistan captain Salman Agha called his spell “outstanding” and pivotal to the series win
📉 Comparison: Context in Pakistani History
Pakistan has produced great spinners like Sunil Narine-type slow bowlers, but Muqeem’s numbers in pure defending scenarios are unmatched in modern T20Is across all full-member nations
🔍 Key Stats Snapshot
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 9 | 16 | 5/3 | 6.26 overall | 11.62 |
| When defending totals | — | 13 | — | 5.27 | 13.38 |
📌 Why Pakistan Should Use Him in Big Chases
- Predictable wicket paths give captain tactical control late in the innings
- His economical overs build pressure that often forces batters to take risks
- Provides spin variety when pace options struggle in tight finishes
🙋 FAQs: Everything You Need To Know
❓ What makes Muqeem great at defending targets?
A: His rates: 5.27 economy and 13.38 bowling average in T20s when defending totals is world-class❓ How many wickets has he taken?
A: 13 wickets across 33 overs in defending situations, plus his deadly 5/3 spell.❓ Who did he break records of?
A: He set a new Pakistan record for best T20I bowling figures, beating Umar Gul’s previous 5/6 mark❓ Is he effective in ODIs too?
A: In limited data, he took 4 wickets for 52 vs South Africa in ODIs during a defending chase scenario.❓ What’s next for Muqeem?
A: He’s likely to be Pakistan’s first choice for defending small to medium targets in T20s, and could evolve into a limited-overs specialist.🏁 Final Thoughts
In a format dominated by power hitters and fast scoring, Sufiyan Muqeem is the silent assassin Pakistan has needed—a spin bowler who thrives under pressure, locks down the run rate, and picks up wickets when it matters most.
If Pakistan use him smartly in key games, he could become their secret weapon in tight chases or defending targets in high-stake T20s.