The flattest ODI pitch in the world

One-day cricket isn't much fun for bowlers at the best of times, but in the Asia Cup theirs has been an especially unenviable job: the heat, flat-as-pancake pitches, fast outfields and excellent batting line-ups have put them under severe examination match after match. In ten games so far (till the India-Pakistan game on Wednesday), teams scored 300 or more eight times, two of which were in successful run-chases. The pitches at most venues are loaded in favour of batsmen for ODIs, but this is even more so in Pakistan, where the tracks are so bare they offer nothing to the fast bowlers, but also firm enough to ensure spinners struggle as well.

Over the last four-and-a-half years, Pakistan has been the most batsman-friendly country, with teams scoring at an average of 5.35 runs per over, and more than 34 runs per wicket; both figures are the highest in the world. In 50 games in this country, teams have scored 300 or more 20 times. India has produced 22 such totals, but they've also hosted 18 more games than Pakistan during this period.

If two subcontinent teams head the table, then two others bring up the rear: in Bangladesh the average runs per over is only 4.60, thanks in part to the home team's dismal batting record. It's even worse in Sri Lanka, though: in 45 matches since January 2004, only three times have teams managed 300 or more, one of which came against Hong Kong.

ODIs in each country since 2004

Country	ODIs	Runs per wkt	Runs per over	No. of 300+ scores
Pakistan	50	34.34	5.35	20
India	68	32.16	5.20	22
New Zealand	45	33.23	5.18	16
Australia	77	31.38	5.14	16
South Africa	54	31.17	4.99	12
England	66	31.18	4.99	13
Kenya	32	28.19	4.85	4
West Indies	91	29.55	4.85	19
Zimbabwe	42	27.86	4.75	3
Bangladesh	40	27.62	4.60	5
Sri Lanka	45	26.55	4.50	3

Most venues in Pakistan have little for the bowlers, but Karachi is the worst of the lot. In 14 games here since 2004, teams have scored at 5.75 per over, at an average of 41.35, both of which are the highest among all Pakistan venues. In Faisalabad, on the other hand, teams only average 4.33 per over and 28.17 per wicket.

In fact, Karachi's affinity for producing batting surfaces goes back even longer. In this decade, the National Stadium has yielded the highest run-rate and average in ODIs (among venues that have hosted at least eight games). In just 18 matches it has produced 14 scores of 300 or more, with half those totals exceeding 325. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, on the other hand, has only produced five such totals in 24 games.

Most batsman-friendly ODI venue since 2000 (at least eight games at the venue)

Venue	ODIs	Runs per wkt	Runs per over	No. of 300+ scores
Karachi	18	39.43	5.70	14
Headingley	8	37.02	5.53	3
Lahore	24	33.45	5.35	5
Ahmedabad	9	35.74	5.34	5
Christchurch	14	32.77	5.32	6
Mohali	8	29.96	5.29	4
Johannesburg	18	33.50	5.22	8
The Oval	17	32.63	5.15	5
Bristol	8	31.99	5.13	3
Centurion	17	31.05	5.12	5

Pakistan have traditionally boasted a strong fast-bowling attack, but the pitches in the country have hardly favoured pace. Over the last four-and-a-half years, fast bowlers have leaked runs at the highest rate here. Despite the slow pitches of Sri Lanka, pace bowlers have done well there, conceding only 4.34 runs per over.

Fast bowlers in each country in ODIs since 2004

Country	Wickets	Average	Econ rate	Strike rate
Pakistan	412	35.91	5.40	39.8
India	599	32.44	5.22	37.2
New Zealand	427	36.38	5.20	41.9
Australia	752	31.67	5.00	37.9
Kenya	282	29.66	4.99	35.6
England	647	32.05	4.91	39.1
South Africa	548	31.43	4.88	38.6
West Indies	810	31.42	4.80	39.2
Zimbabwe	394	28.60	4.79	35.7
Bangladesh	300	29.75	4.68	38.0
Sri Lanka	344	28.42	4.34	39.2

The Asia Cup has also been marked by lack of swing for the new-ball bowlers. Add that to the field restrictions during the Powerplays and the early overs have been a nightmare for the bowlers. It isn't a recent phenomenon in Karachi either - over the last six-and-a-half years, only one ground has yielded more runs in the first 15 overs of ODIs.

Venues in first 15 overs in ODIs since Jan 2002 (at least 10 innings)

Venue	Runs	Wickets	Runs per over	Runs per wkt
Headingley	1134	19	5.82	59.68
Karachi	2550	56	5.31	45.53
Napier	1586	33	5.28	48.06
Old Trafford	948	23	5.27	41.21
St Kitts	1057	28	5.03	37.75
Centurion	2250	65	5.00	34.61
Ahmedabad	1195	34	4.99	35.14
The Oval	2243	59	4.98	38.01

In seven ODIs in Karachi during the Asia Cup, ten centuries have already been scored, which is further indication of just how easy the track here is for batting. In terms of centuries per ODI, Karachi is well clear of all other venues: in 18 games here since 2000, the National Stadium averages one hundred per match, which is well clear of second-placed Napier. Only Sharjah and Harare have seen more hundreds during this period than Karachi, but both have hosted many more games: 20 centuries have been scored in Sharjah from 45 games, while 54 matches in Harare have yielded 19 hundreds. (Click here for the full list, and here for the list of most successful batsmen in Karachi since 2000.)

Centuries per ODI at venues since 2000 (Qual: at least ten hundreds during this period)

Venue	ODIs	100s	100s per ODI
Karachi	18	18	1.00
Napier	14	10	0.71
Perth	17	12	0.71
Johannesburg	18	12	0.67
Lahore	24	15	0.63
The Oval	17	10	0.59
Brisbane	21	12	0.57
Sydney	30	16	0.53

All stats updated till the Pakistan-India match on July 2