A cricket scorecard is a compact summary of a match. The first numbers to notice are runs and wickets, followed by overs. A score such as 160/5 tells you the batting side has scored 160 runs and lost five wickets. The overs figure tells you how much of the innings has been completed.
For batters, runs and balls faced are the quickest measures of contribution. Strike rate compares scoring speed with balls faced. For bowlers, wickets and runs conceded are useful, while economy rate shows the average number of runs conceded per over.
Partnerships can explain momentum that the main score alone does not show. A large partnership may indicate that two batters have controlled the innings, while a sequence of wickets can show a change in the match's direction.
The best way to understand a scorecard is to combine the numbers with the match format and situation. A total that looks large in isolation can mean something different depending on the number of overs, pitch conditions and target.