Pakistan succumbed to their first-ever T20I series whitewash against Australia today (November 18). Here’s how their players fared throughout the series.
Babar Azam: 3/10
45 runs @ 15.66, SR: 142.42; no fifties
Babar’s form is one of the reasons why Pakistan are on the receiving end of the dismal scoreline. A 28-ball 41 while opening the innings in the last match was his only contribution during the series.
Mohammad Rizwan: 2/10
16 runs @ 8, SR: 57.14; no fifties
Another Pakistan batting mainstay who underfired. Rizwan missed the final match, however, there's no official confirmation on the reasoning.
Usman Khan: 5/10
59 runs @ 19.66, SR: 125.53; one fifty
Pakistan's only half-centurion of the series, Usman came in at No.4 during the second match and gave the tourists a chance to gun down 147. At the time of his dismissal in the 16th over, Pakistan needed 45 runs in 4.4 overs with five wickets in hand. That knock was sandwiched in between two single-digit scores.
Irfan Khan: 4/10
47 runs @ 23.50, SR: 123.60; no fifties
After Usman's departure in the second game, Irfan, at No.6, kept Pakistan's hopes alive. He was eventually left stranded for 37* off 28 as Pakistan were bowled out for 134, 13 runs shy of the target. He couldn't make a mark in the other two fixtures.
Haseebullah Khan: 4/10
36 runs @ 18 , SR: 133.33; no fifties
Haseebullah kept wicket in the first match, scoring eight off 12 at the No.7 position. After being dropped in the second, he returned to XI in the final game, making 24 off 19 at one down.
Sahibzada Farhan: 1/10
22 runs @ 7.33, SR: 104.76; no fifties
Farhan was given a long rope at the top of the order but failed to capitalise, making just eight, five and nine across the three games.
Agha Salman: 1/10
Five runs @ 1.66, SR: 41.66, no fifties
Salman’s Test form played a part in Pakistan handing him the white-ball vice-captaincy out of the blue. His record both as a leader and a player in the T20 format is mediocre and that was exposed in the series. He became Pakistan’s fourth T20I captain this year, filling in for Rizwan in the final match.
Jahandad Khan: 7/10
Five runs @ 5, SR: 50
One wicket @ 17; ER: 5.66, BBI: 1-17
The all-rounder was Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker (10) in the Champions One-Day. On debut, he made a struggling 10-ball five with the bat. However, he was the silver lining during Pakistan’s bowling performance in the final match, going at an economy of just 5.67 from three overs. Every other bowler conceded over nine, while one went at 14.33.
Haris Rauf: 6.5/10
Five wickets @ 15.40; ER: 8.55, BBI: 4-22
Coming off a record-breaking performance in the preceding ODI, Rauf blew hot and cold. Out of his five wickets, four came in the second fixture, restricting Australia to 147-9.
Sufiyan Muqeem: 6.5/10
Two wickets @ 15; ER: 6.00, BBI: 2-21
After an impressive Emerging Team Asia Cup for Pakistan Shaheens, the left-arm wrist spinner impressed in his first outing of the series in the second match but bowled only an over during Australia’s thrilling chase in the final game.
Abbas Afridi: 9/10
Six wickets at 6.66; ER: 6.31, BBI: 3-17
Undoubtedly Pakistan's most consistent performer of the series. Finished the series as the second-highest wicket-taker with Adam Zampa.
Shaheen Afridi: 2/10
One wicket @ 107; ER: 11.88, BBI: 1-43
Shaheen only had a wicket to show to his name. The average and economy itself describe how bad a series it was for Shaheen.
Naseem Shah: 2/10
Two wickets @ 81; ER: 13.50, BBI: 1-37
Another pacer from Pakistan’s pace attack who failed to replicate his form from the historic ODI series win which preceded the T20Is. He played the first two matches before being dropped for the third in place of Jahandad.
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