RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWhich team struggles to dismiss tailenders in Test cricket? Full stats of teams vs lower-order in Tests since May 2024 originally appeared on Cricket News .
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Pakistan ranks as the worst Test side at dismissing tailenders since May 2024, conceding an average of 25.08 runs.
New Zealand and South Africa boast the most efficient bowling attacks, keeping partnerships strictly under the 16-run mark.
Allowing tailenders to build late partnerships remains a critical tactical flaw across modern Test matches.
Which team struggles to dismiss tailenders in Test cricket?
With the 2025-27 World Test Championship about to reach its final few months, every team is looking to log wins and get those precious points. So far Australia seems to be the favourite to reach their third finals in a row with South Africa being a hot second.
The reason behind that has been pretty simple. The two finalists from last year's WTC have had some of the best bowling averages in removing opponents' tailenders. While the pace attack of the Aussies has made short work of opponent lineups, the Proteas have consistently prevented late innings partnerships.
But on the opposite end of the spectrum, sides like India, Bangladesh and especially Pakistan have struggled to convert early wickets into decisive totals.
Despite having some of the best spinners, both subcontinent sides have had matches slip through their hands just because of their struggle in dismissing tailenders. The raw numbers, however, paint an even more dire image for the two teams.
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Full stats of teams against lower-order batters since May 2024
According to Cricinfo's latest data, Pakistan ranks as the worst bowling side against the tail when it comes to average partnerships for the seventh wicket and lower since May 2024. The side has struggled to dismiss tailenders with an average partnership of 25 runs for the seventh wicket and lower.
Pakistan have a problem finishing off the tail 😬 pic.twitter.com/aeF9OY8xWH
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) August 28, 2026
Alongside Pakistan, teams like Afghanistan (24.33), Zimbabwe (24.17) and Bangladesh (21.92) have struggled to stop late-innings partnerships from blooming.
Opposition Average Partnership (7th Wicket & Lower) vs Pakistan 25.08 vs Afghanistan 24.33 vs Zimbabwe 24.17 vs Bangladesh 21.92 vs England 21.75 vs India 20.22 vs Sri Lanka 20.10 vs Australia 17.85 vs West Indies 17.58 vs South Africa 15.92 vs New Zealand 15.00 vs Ireland 13.20 In contrast, major red-ball sides exhibit much greater ruthlessness against tailenders. India (20.22) and Sri Lanka (20.10) hold respectable figures, whereas Australia (17.85), the West Indies (17.58), South Africa (15.92), and New Zealand (15.00) restrict lower orders effectively.
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Why dismissing tailenders remains a critical challenge in Test cricket
The struggle to dismiss the lower order has been a highlight point this Test cycle for both India and Pakistan. Despite reducing their opponents to six wickets under 200 runs, both subcontinent sides have failed to dismiss the tailenders and effectively finish the innings.
In India's case, it even cost them the second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo. Despite getting a follow-on and then reducing the hosts to 218/6 in the second innings, Indian bowlers were unable to dismiss Sonal Dinusha, who went on to score yet another century, effectively drawing the game.
Pakistan, meanwhile, failed to wrap up England within 250 runs in the second Test at Lord's before struggling against the English bowling attack themselves. This inability to take wickets has been the difference maker between sides like India and sides like Australia and South Africa, who claimed the last two editions of the WTC.
Mastering this critical phase remains an absolute necessity for any international squad aspiring to dominate long-format cricket consistently.
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