As Pakistan registered another thrilling series win over hosts Sri Lanka in the second game of the two-match T20 International (T20I) series, it seemed that it was indeed a new beginning for them. After the dreadful series whitewash against Bangladesh couple of months back, now it seems Pakistan are again back on track. Having won the Test and One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka as well, they seem to be unstoppable, while Sri Lanka have quite a lot of work to be done to improve their performance. Ayush Gupta gives marks the each and every member of the Pakistan team, following their 2-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the T20I series.
Mukhtar Ahmed: The opening batsman had a poor last game as he was dismissed for a mere couple. The very next game too was a poor one as he continued his unimpressive run, getting dismissed for mere four, and hardly contributing anything for the team. Thus, he was just not good enough as compared to Pakistan’s overall performance. Verdict – 3/10
Ahmed Shehzad: Another opening batsman, who has been in good form prior to the series, be it any format of the game. Although he played a healthy knock of 46 in the previous game, he just couldn’t click in the second game, owing to the pressure of chasing down a stiff target. Nevertheless, a fair performance from the young lad. Verdict – 7/10
Mohammad Hafeez: The third down batsman was in pretty good form during the Test and ODI series. However, the shortest version of the game doesn’t seem to have brought out the best in him in this series as he scored mere 17 in the first game, followed by 11 in the second, which hardly counts. However, the runs could well be crucial in this very format of the game. Banned from bowling in international cricket for a year owing to an illegal action, he could well focus on his batting for the time being and make it count in each and every format. Verdict- 4/10
Shoaib Malik: The veteran all-rounder all of a sudden out of nowhere has sprung back to form, especially in the limited over format, both with the ball and the bat. He was hugely responsible in the first game, owing to a big knock of 46 and a wicket for nine. However, he couldn’t fire in the next game and was dismissed for mere eight, but fired with the ball as he claimed a couple for 16, adjudging him the Man of the Series and keeping everyone wonder, what made him return to such form? Verdict – 8/10
Umar Akmal: The middle-order batsman, who was recalled to the side in the T20 version of the game and played a quickfire knock of 46 off 24 deliveries, failed to fire in the next game as he was dismissed for a mere four off an unfortunate run out. Thus, overall an impressive start to the campaign, but couldn’t just make it to the top, although he was merely there. Verdict – 6/10
Shahid Afridi: The veteran skipper failed to click in the opening game both with the bat and the ball. However, the next game saw him playing a quickfire with the bat as he scored 45 of just 24 deliveries, including a wicket. Overall, not as impressive as was expected out of him. However, for a quickfire as well as captain’s knock in the second game, he deserves a special one. Verdict – 6/10
Anwar Ali: Indeed the player of the second game. Although he remained unbeaten without opening his account in the first game, he had a fair outing with the ball as he claimed two for 27. However, it was the second game where he turned the tabled more with the bat rather than with the ball, claiming just a wicket for 40, but played a blinder of 46 off just 17 deliveries that was the backbone to Pakistan’s successful run chase and also deserved the Man of the Match award. Verdict – 7/10
Mohammad Rizwan: The wicketkeeper-batsman, who failed to bat in the opening game had an average outing with the bat in the next as he scored 17. However, not exactly good enough to earn a good recognition. Verdict – 4/10
Sohail Tanvir: The fast-bowler had a great outing in the opening game as he claimed three for 29 that helped him earn the Man of the Match award. However, he wasn’t as impressive as the opening game, claiming just a wicket for 44. Thus, another average series for him. Verdict – 5/10
Imad Wasim: Although he did not bat in the first game, had a decent outing with the ball as he claimed a wicket for 21. The next game saw him fire with the bat rather than the ball as he played a fair knock of 24 off 14 deliveries, which proved to be crucial for the team to chase down a challenging total. Verdict – 5/10
Mohammad Irfan: Another fast-bowler who was expected to fire, but had a poor outing with the ball, failing to claim a single wicket for 25. Although h bounced back in the next game with a wicket for 44, it just wasn’t enough to be in the goodbooks of the series, overall. Verdict – 3/10
(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)
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