Bowlers stand out for average Pakistan
Marks out of ten for each of Pakistan's players, following their series loss against New Zealand
Andrew Fidel Fernando
30-Nov-2016
Mohammad Amir missed out on a few wickets to catches once again, but was Pakistan's best bowler in the series • Getty Images
7
Mohammad Amir (two matches, seven wickets at 28.57)
He is keeping count of the catches dropped off his bowling. By his measure, it's at least 12 in Tests since his return. Bowled the best over of the series, in Hamilton, but cruelly had to settle for just one wicket from it. He wasn't always menacing - particularly once the juice had left the pitches, but he was the bowler New Zealand's batsmen seemed least keen on facing.
He is keeping count of the catches dropped off his bowling. By his measure, it's at least 12 in Tests since his return. Bowled the best over of the series, in Hamilton, but cruelly had to settle for just one wicket from it. He wasn't always menacing - particularly once the juice had left the pitches, but he was the bowler New Zealand's batsmen seemed least keen on facing.
Sohail Khan (two matches, seven wickets at 38.14, 94 runs at 23.5)
Has pecs like adjoining cliffs, and forearms like neem branches, but it is Sohail's wit that got him most of his wickets this series, though the muscles did help with his batting. He was expensive in the second innings at Hamilton, but was otherwise good in a series that didn't really feature the outswing he relies on.
Has pecs like adjoining cliffs, and forearms like neem branches, but it is Sohail's wit that got him most of his wickets this series, though the muscles did help with his batting. He was expensive in the second innings at Hamilton, but was otherwise good in a series that didn't really feature the outswing he relies on.
Babar Azam (two matches, 142 runs at 47.33)
His 90 not out wasn't the highest score in the series, but it may have been the most impressive innings, as more experienced teammates crashed and burned around him. Has a back foot punch as sublime as his monobrow, and in his efficient footwork and ability to pick length early, he may have the tools to become a very good batsman. This has been said of plenty of young Pakistan batsmen before. We can only hope Azam doesn't become another cautionary tale.
His 90 not out wasn't the highest score in the series, but it may have been the most impressive innings, as more experienced teammates crashed and burned around him. Has a back foot punch as sublime as his monobrow, and in his efficient footwork and ability to pick length early, he may have the tools to become a very good batsman. This has been said of plenty of young Pakistan batsmen before. We can only hope Azam doesn't become another cautionary tale.
Imran Khan (one match, six wickets at 21.33)
Bowled accurately on a helpful deck in Hamilton, delivering some especially memorable indippers to right-handed batsmen, though he picked up a wicket off a terrible, short, wide ball as well. Wasn't the most threatening Pakistan bowler, but was the most disciplined in the Test he played.
Bowled accurately on a helpful deck in Hamilton, delivering some especially memorable indippers to right-handed batsmen, though he picked up a wicket off a terrible, short, wide ball as well. Wasn't the most threatening Pakistan bowler, but was the most disciplined in the Test he played.
6
Rahat Ali (one match, four wickets at 21.50)
Was the best of Pakistan's bowlers on the third morning at Hagley Oval, which was maybe the visitors' best session of the whole series. Despite having achieved his team's best haul in that game, was unrequired in Hamilton.
Was the best of Pakistan's bowlers on the third morning at Hagley Oval, which was maybe the visitors' best session of the whole series. Despite having achieved his team's best haul in that game, was unrequired in Hamilton.
5
Sami Aslam (two matches, 122 runs at 30.50)
Could have played for a maiden Test hundred on the final day of the series, but instead he perished slogging unselfishly for the team. Nicked off twice to Tim Southee when the ball was angled across him, but this is a common enough ailment for left-handed openers. Coaches might do well to keep him out of the slips for a little while, at least until some catching confidence can be regained.
Could have played for a maiden Test hundred on the final day of the series, but instead he perished slogging unselfishly for the team. Nicked off twice to Tim Southee when the ball was angled across him, but this is a common enough ailment for left-handed openers. Coaches might do well to keep him out of the slips for a little while, at least until some catching confidence can be regained.
Azhar Ali (two matches, 105 runs at 26.25)
His 31 at Hagley Oval came off 173 deliveries. His 58 at Seddon Park off 161. Clearly Azhar has an impressive defensive technique in difficult positions, but in this series, he didn't quite convert that into a substantial advantage for his team.
His 31 at Hagley Oval came off 173 deliveries. His 58 at Seddon Park off 161. Clearly Azhar has an impressive defensive technique in difficult positions, but in this series, he didn't quite convert that into a substantial advantage for his team.
4
Misbah-Ul-Haq (one match, 44 runs at 22.00)
In keeping with a theme for the senior batsmen, Misbah spent a lot of time at the crease at Hagley Oval without scoring many runs. His mis-hit hook off a Southee bouncer sparked a collapse in the second innings of that match. Was unavailable for the second Test due to tragic family circumstances.
In keeping with a theme for the senior batsmen, Misbah spent a lot of time at the crease at Hagley Oval without scoring many runs. His mis-hit hook off a Southee bouncer sparked a collapse in the second innings of that match. Was unavailable for the second Test due to tragic family circumstances.
Sarfraz Ahmed (69 runs at 17.25, nine catches)
Should have been run out about four times in Hamilton, but was dismissed this way only once - when Pakistan were looking to him for quick runs. Now having played 30 Tests, he will want to improve on that average outside Asia. Was generally good behind the stumps.
Should have been run out about four times in Hamilton, but was dismissed this way only once - when Pakistan were looking to him for quick runs. Now having played 30 Tests, he will want to improve on that average outside Asia. Was generally good behind the stumps.
3
Asad Shafiq (two matches, 56 runs at 14.00)
The move back down to no. 6 did not produce the familiar Shafiq yield from the middle order. Had two slightly strange dismissals in Hamilton, once playing on attempting a booming off drive, and then giving point a catch off the leading edge, when he had wanted to push a full ball to leg.
The move back down to no. 6 did not produce the familiar Shafiq yield from the middle order. Had two slightly strange dismissals in Hamilton, once playing on attempting a booming off drive, and then giving point a catch off the leading edge, when he had wanted to push a full ball to leg.
Mohammad Rizwan (one match, 13 runs at 13.00)
Fell to a Neil Wagner short ball off the first Test delivery he ever faced, but managed the bouncers much better in the second innings. Looked a secure slip fielder as well.
Fell to a Neil Wagner short ball off the first Test delivery he ever faced, but managed the bouncers much better in the second innings. Looked a secure slip fielder as well.
Wahab Riaz (one match, two wickets at 55.00)
Had a chance missed off his bowling in the second innings at Hamilton, and though he bowled a good spell on the fourth day, didn't have enough wickets to show for it again. Pakistan hope he will be more effective across the Tasman, where the pitches are expected to be harder and faster.
Had a chance missed off his bowling in the second innings at Hamilton, and though he bowled a good spell on the fourth day, didn't have enough wickets to show for it again. Pakistan hope he will be more effective across the Tasman, where the pitches are expected to be harder and faster.
2
Yasir Shah (one match, no wickets)
Bowled 13.3 decent overs on a profoundly unhelpful Hagley Oval deck, and despite having spurred many famous victories in recent years, was left out - perhaps wrongly - at Hamilton. His greatest impact on the series might have been as a substitute fielder.
Bowled 13.3 decent overs on a profoundly unhelpful Hagley Oval deck, and despite having spurred many famous victories in recent years, was left out - perhaps wrongly - at Hamilton. His greatest impact on the series might have been as a substitute fielder.
Younis Khan (two matches, 16 runs at 4.00)
Eleven, 2, 2 and 1 - so read Younis' scores on a tour on which Pakistan desperately missed him. Seam movement undid him twice, bounce once, and to close out the series, he padded up to a ball headed for off stump.
Eleven, 2, 2 and 1 - so read Younis' scores on a tour on which Pakistan desperately missed him. Seam movement undid him twice, bounce once, and to close out the series, he padded up to a ball headed for off stump.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando