Price of a Pakistan wicket? It's considerably higher now!!

The way this Pakistan cricket team has been gathering momentum of late has been fascinating to watch. The critics will argue the victories have not come against tougher oppositions and they do have a strong point. But there is a method and pattern to Pakistan's recent success and that belongs to the batsmen for a change.

Pakistan has ended 2011 season without a series defeat which also includes a comprehensive win over the higher ranked Sri Lankans, which by no means is a small achievement.

The formula for success in 2011 revolved around occupying the crease and putting a higher price on the wicket. That did two things. One, it ensured that there were no major collapses and two it tired the opposition's bowlers as Pakistan's top six batsmen priced their wicket much higher than they ever had in the country's history.

The batting line may not have the illustrious names of yesteryear - like Inzimam, Yousuf, Javed, Saeed or Salim Malik, but they have yet lasted longer than their more illustrious countrymen. The Pakistan top six priced their wicket 80 percent higher (year-on-year) in terms of balls faced per dismissals in 2011. (see graph)

This is where they have made the opposition stay longer in the field, eating valuable time and ensuring that the defeat is the first thing out of the equation - and the records suggest they successfully achieved the target. Tougher challenges lie ahead when England tour in January - but the Pakistan top six has chalked out a formula to build test match innings and the English bowlers face an uphill task to deal with the Misbah brigade. The results will eventually follow if they stick to this plan.