Ben Gardner marks Pakistan’s players out of 10 after their 4-3 T20I series defeat to England.
Aamer Jamal – 5
2 matches, 1 wicket at 43.00, ER: 10.75, BBI: 1-13
Picked based on scant evidence with limited domestic – and no PSL – experience behind him, Jamal stepped up on debut, defending a gettable total in the final over by nailing his wide yorkers. Conceding 20 off his first over in his second appearance brought him crashing back down to earth.
Mohammad Rizwan – 7
6 matches, 316 runs at 63.20, SR: 138.59, HS: 88*
A typical Mohammad Rizwan series. At times you could criticise the scoring rate. At others, you could only marvel at the stroke play. The fact that Pakistan won three of the four games in which he reached 60 suggest their problems run deeper than the approach of their wicketkeeper.
Babar Azam – 7
7 matches, 285 runs at 57.00, SR: 143.21, HS: 110
A similar series to Rizwan, except the highs were a little higher, and the lows a little lower. Despite the series defeat, that Karachi century will sit fondly in the hearts of Pakistan fans for evermore. And given his Asia Cup struggles, the signs of any sort of form are welcome.
Shan Masood – 6
7 matches, 151 runs at 37.75, SR: 131.30, HS: 65*
The only Pakistan batter outside of the openers to average more than 21, Masood did enough to suggest that, should one of Babar or Rizwan fall early, there’s another dependable option behind them.
Khushdil Shah – 3
5 matches, 63 runs at 21.00, SR: 112.50, HS: 29
Khushdil’s two scores in double figures each came chasing high scores, and did little to add impetus to the Pakistan innings, with the home fans voicing their displeasure at his efforts.
Iftikhar Ahmed – 5
7 matches, 99 runs at 19.80, SR: 132.00, HS: 31
1 wicket at 73.00, ER: 6.08, BBI: 1-16
Kept England quiet with the ball, and contributed handily with the bat without kicking on.
Asif Ali – 3
4 matches, 34 runs at 11.33, SR: 136.00, HS: 13*
Two sixes in his three-ball innings helped decide the fourth T20I, but that was Asif’s only contribution of note – that aside, he scored at under a run a ball.
Mohammad Nawaz – 5
7 matches, 45 runs at 9.00, SR: 97.82, HS: 19
5 wickets at 38.60, ER: 8.39, BBI: 3-35
Nawaz was key in helping to defend low totals in the fourth and fifth T20Is, but that aside proved expensive, and was unable to contribute with the bat.
Haider Ali – 2
5 matches, 36 runs at 9.00, SR: 94.73, HS: 18
Touted as one of Pakistan’s most exciting young talents, Haider had a woeful series, with only one innings that could be classed as useful.
Mohammad Haris – 2
1 match, 7 runs at 7.00, SR: 87.50, HS: 7
Played a shot a ball on debut, but only caught hold of the one boundary.
Shadab Khan – 4
3 matches, 3 wickets at 32.66, ER: 8.90, BBI: 2-34
Returned after an injury to Usman Qadir, but was himself an injury concern by the end of the series.
Haris Rauf – 8
6 matches, 8 wickets at 23.62, ER: 7.87, BBI: 3-32
The pick of Pakistan’s bowlers by a distance, Rauf showed himself capable of pushing the speed gun beyond 150kph, with a wicked slower ball in the armoury too.
Naseem Shah – 2
1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 10.25, BBI: 0-41
Went at over 10s in his only appearance before a viral infection ruled him out.
Usman Qadir – 3
4 matches, 4 wickets at 31.25, ER: 10.41, BBI: 2-36
Only intermittently effective before being ruled out by a thumb injury.
Mohammad Hasnain – 3
4 matches, 4 wickets at 39.75, ER: 9.93, BBI: 2-40
A so-so series, although going at eight an over as England racked up 200 deserves noting.
Shahnawaz Dahani – 2
4 matches, 3 wickets at 56.66, ER: 12.75, BBI: 2-37
The most expensive of Pakistan’s bowlers.