Lessons for Azhar on how not to use DRS

In the fifth over of Pakistan's innings, Jason Holder got a full delivery to jag back into Azhar Ali, who played around his front pad and was struck right in front of middle and off stump. The umpire raised the finger almost instantaneously, but Azhar was not convinced. After a chat with opening partner Sharjeel Khan, Azhar used Pakistan's only review. At that moment, it didn't seem to matter to him that the new DRS rules give the bowlers a higher margin. Hawk-eye indicated even the previous lbw protocol was sufficient to uphold the umpire's decision. Sharjeel was as much to blame as Azhar.

Shoaib Malik's swift footwork to the pitch of Sulieman Benn's loopy deliveries helped him plunder five sixes. In the 27th over, Malik danced down thrice, got underneath the flight each time and heaved him for three successive sixes, the last of which cleared the ground over the midwicket boundary. The ball ended its journey in the middle of a road outside the stadium. An eager spectator hopped over the walls, crossed the road and was made to wait for a break in an unrelenting flow of cars. Play resumed a few minutes later.

In the 27th over of Pakistan's innings, Shoaib Malik poked a ball back to the bowler Sulieman Benn. As Benn was returning, non-striker Babar Azam lost his composure - presumably for something that was said earlier - and muttered under his breath, but loud enough for the bowler to hear. Benn retorted with words and a shrug of the shoulder, but Azam went back to being like most batsmen: ignoring the bowler. The next three balls were hit for three sixes.

Then in the second innings, Mohammad Amir was at the receiving end as umpire Shozab Raza seemed displeased his behaviour. Amir wore a disbelieving expression on his face, and captain Azhar Ali was forced to intervene and mediate between both parties.

Pakistan's strengths helped them to the ODI series win, but their weaknesses were in the spotlight too, their catching in particular. Darren Bravo skied a slog-sweep to Azhar at cover in the 21st over. Reverse-cup attempt. Dropped.

In the 33rd over, Marlon Samuels heaved Imad Wasim to deep midwicket. Mohammad Rizwan made the ground. Reverse-cup attempt. Dropped and parried for six. Pakistan dropped six catches. "Not acceptable," said Azhar at the post-match presentation. Fortunately for Pakistan, their batting + bowling > fielding.