Pakistan vs England 2016: Pakistan marks out of 10 in ODIs

Pakistan could not continue the momentuim gained from the Test series, as they suffered a 1-4 loss to England in the five-match ODI series.

Following an impressive performance in the four-Test series against Alastair Cook’s men, which the visitors Pakistan managed to draw 2-2, they could not continue on the momentum gained. In the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series, as they suffered a 1-4 loss to England. The performance has taken a toll on Pakistan, as it has affected their rankings, while their bid to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is in serious danger. Nevertheless, it is time to review Pakistan’s performance in the ODI series, as Ayush Gupta analyses and also rates the Pakistan players out of 10. Full Cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs England 2016, 5th ODI at Cardiff

Sarfraz Ahmed: Pakistan talismanic batsman had a great series, not from the perspective of his team, but from an individualistic pointof view, as he managed to score a whopping 300 runs in five matches. While his highest score was of 105, along with a ton, and two half-centuries, his average was 60, and strike rate was of 92. Sarfraz made a significant progress in the ICC ODI Batsman Rankings table as well. Verdict: 8/10

Azhar Ali: The second batsman to have fared good in the series after Sarfraz, is undoubtedly the skipper himself, who scored 208 runs in the five matches he played. His highest score in the series was 82, along with twin half-centuries, while he had an average of 42 and a strike rate of 78 It was his gameplay that allowed Pakistan to earn a consolation win over England in the final ODI. The win also saved them from the embarrassment of being whitewashed 0-5. Verdict: 7/10 PAK vs ENG, 5th ODI: Statistical Highlights

Imad Wasim: All-rounder, Imad Wasim, was fantastic as well, and he scored a healthy 153 runs in the entire series, with a highest of 63 along with two half-centuries. He had a strike rate of 102. With the ball, he managed to claim four wickets with an economy of 4.5. Although not as impressive as he would have liked, but enough to earn him fair points for his performance. Verdict: 6/10

Shoaib Malik: The veteran Pakistan batsman, who was expected to make his experience count, failed to play a fruitful knock in the series. All he could manage iin the series was about 123 odd runs for himself. His highest score was 77, which was also his only half-century. His average was of 31, along with a strike rate of 84, while he couldn’t shine with his part-time spin as well. Malik’s role in the side was unclear throughout the series, which must be looked into, in the future. Verdict: 5/10 Sohail Tanvir: Overjoyed with another opportunity to represent Pakistan

Babar Azam: A promising young talent in Pakistan’s side, Babar Azam played some steady knocks, but was not as impressive as fans would have thought of him earlier. Nevertheless, he managed to score 122 runs, with his highest score being 44, along with an average of 24, and a strike rate of 85, which was not bad, but he could have done better. Having just stepped into the international arena, azam has a long way to go, but he will have to pull up his socks. Verdict: 5/10

Sharjeel Khan: Pakistan’s opener, Sharjeel, played in all the five games, but couldn’t live up to the expectations fans had from him. His century against Ireland, just prior to this series, had put the limelight on him, but he failed to deliver. He managed to score just 100 runs, with a highest of 58, which was his only half-century knock. An average of 20 and a strike rate of 133, could have been even better if Sharjeel could have stayed at the crease a bit longer. Just firing in one game doesn’t actually help one on his overall performance. And Sharjeel will have to learn from his mistakes to become a better batsman. The way he latches on to short balls to send them to the leg-side boundary, shows he has tremendous attacking abilities. But he still needs to introspect into his game. He gets fairly less points as compared to others. Verdict: 4.5/10

Mohammad Nawaz: An all-rounder, who was expected to fire with both bat and ball, Nawaz, failed to do both. He managed to score just 66 runs in four games, with 34 being his highest total, along with an average of 22 and a strike rate of 88. He did manage to claim a couple of wickets with an economy of 5.8, but he clearly failed to contribute significantly. Verdict: 4/10

Mohammad Aamer: Aamer, who was supposed to be Pakistan’s strike bowler, coming into the ODI series, managed to claim just four wickets from the four matches he played in. He was far from what was expected from him. Glimpses of his lethal bowling were on sight in the fifth ODI, but overall Aamer was no where near his best. But interestingly he played a good role with the bat, as he scored his highest score of 58, as he gets a fairly better points for his added good performance with the bat. Verdict: 5/10

Mohammad Rizwan: Rizwan was expected to be a batting talent to watch out for, in the series, but clearly couldn’t do enough to get his name among the star performers of the series. He managed to play just a couple of games, scoring just 40 runs, while his highest score was an unbeaten 34, along with an average of 40, and a strike rate of 83. His performance was not satisfactory, and he therefore, fails to earn enough points. Verdict: 4/10

Sami Aslam: Aslam was expected to add some fire power to the Pakistan batting line-up. But he completely failed to do so, as he could manage just 33 runs from three games, along with an average of 11, and a strike rate of 49. He could not replicate his Test performance prior to the ODI series. The stats itself prove that he, needs to work on his skills and make sure, he becomes a better batsman in the future. Verdict: 3/10

Yasir Shah: Pakistan’s star spinner on the tour to England, Yasir, who was expected to come up something big, was indeed one of the biggest flops of the series. He failed to grab a single wicket in the two games he played, and ended up with an economy of seven. A rather forgetful ODI series for him after a brilliant Test series under Misbah-ul-Haq, has spoiled his tour. Verdict: 2/10

Wahab Riaz: The left-arm fast-bowler, who was expected to fire with the ball, and terrorise the English batsmen with his sheer pace and swing, failed to come up with a stellar performance. Wahab, managed to claim just a wicket in three matches, along with an economy of 74. He conceded more than hundred runs in the game at Trent Bridge. Therefore, he gets a low rating. Verdict: 3/10

Hasan Ali:  The young fast bowler, Hasan Ali, made his mark against England, utilising conditions to his best, claiming eight wickets in the four matches he played, along with an economy of 7.1, with a best of 4 for 60. There is still a lot of scope for improvement though. He gets 6 out of 10 for his performance. Verdict: 6/10

Mohammad Hafeez: The star batsman, who was supposed to be the crux of Pakistan’s batting order, failed to fire, in the only game he featured in, scoring 11 runs. While his injury forced him to fly back home mid-way into the series, he definitely needs to work on himself. Hafeez has been going through a rough patch for some time now. The Test series against England, was another dry run for him and considering Mickey Arthur’s warnings to the team, he might just face an axe now. Verdict: 2/10

Umar Gul: Again, one of Pakistan’s most talented fast bowlers, Gul, failed to impress, as he claimed just three wickets in the three games he played, along with an economy of 6.23, while he continued to struggle to come up with an impressive performance. Not enough again to claim good points. Verdict: 4/10

Mohammad Irfan: Irfan managed to play just one game, did get a couple of wickets, along with an economy of 5.20, but his injury left coach Mickey Arthur fuming, and Pakistan failed to win that game too. His fitness issues continue to bother Pakistan and therefore, he does not earn enough points for himself. 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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