Demystifying the PAR Score in Cricket: Understanding the DLS Method for Rain-affected Matches

In cricket, when a match gets interrupted by rain or bad weather, it becomes difficult to complete the full game. To ensure fairness, a method called the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method is used to calculate a revised target for the team batting second, based on the number of overs remaining and the number of wickets lost.


The DLS method takes into account the scoring patterns in limited-overs cricket and calculates a par score. The par score is the estimated number of runs a team should have scored at a particular stage of the game, considering the resources available to them (overs remaining and wickets lost).

For example, let's say Team A has scored 200 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 40 overs before rain interrupts the match. The DLS method will calculate the par score based on the scoring patterns of teams in similar situations in the past. Let's assume the par score is 240 runs.

Now, let's say the rain delay causes the match to be reduced to 30 overs for each team. The DLS method will recalculate the revised target for Team B to win. Since the par score was 240 runs and they have 30 overs to chase the target, the revised target for Team B would be lower than 240 runs.

The DLS method helps ensure that the team batting second has a fair chance to chase a revised target, taking into account the impact of rain on the game. It tries to adjust the target based on the resources available and the par score at that stage of the match.

So, in summary, the PAR Score in cricket, according to the DLS method, is the estimated number of runs a team should have scored at a particular stage of the game, considering the available overs and wickets. It helps determine a fair revised target for the team batting second in rain-affected matches.