The Yasir and Younis show
Besides the two headliners, Shan Masood staked claim for long tenancy at the top, Azhar Ali was a calming influence, but Pakistan might want a bit more from their pacers
10
Easily, the best performer of the series. For Yasir, the series was nothing less than a dream as he reeled off 24 wickets in three Tests and went onto complete 50 wickets in only nine Tests, fastest by any Pakistan bowler. Yasir's 7 for 76 in the second innings in Galle was the best by an overseas bowler in Sri Lanka, surpassing his own idol Shane Warne.
9.5
He might have been below par in the first two Tests, including his 100th, but he stepped up in the decider, inspiring Pakistan to their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2006. Younis smashed several records on his way to an unbeaten 171 off 271 balls, after Pakistan were reduced to 13 for 2 in pursuit of 377. Younis' epic effort was the best by a Pakistan batsman in a fourth innings and the fifth best overall in a chase.
9
Masood, who had been carrying drinks since 2013 would have continued doing the same had Mohammad Hafeez been available in Pallekele. Though the replacement opener failed in the first innings, he grabbed the opportunity in the second dig. Masood made 125 off 233 balls, his maiden century, despite his troubles against the short ball, and was at the forefront of a remarkable Pakistan turnaround alongside Younis.
9
He was a symbol of consistency this tour. Pakistan endured collapses in Galle and Pallekele but Sarfraz propped them up with his busy batting. Sarfraz ended with 204 runs in four innings at 68 and effected 14 dismissals behind the stumps.
8
The nucleus of a resurgent team, Azhar asserted his case further and finished as the second-highest run-getter for Pakistan after Younis Khan with 208 runs at 41.60, including a half-century and century. His ability to hold the innings together even under pressure makes him the lynchpin of the batting line-up.
7
An accurate left-arm spinner, Babar brings a lot of stability to the bowling attack, more so in sub-continental conditions. He kept things tight at one end, while Yasir chipped away at the other. Babar was left out of the third Test for a seamer and finished with six wickets at 36.50. He also pitched in with a counter-attacking 56 in Galle, his first half-century in Tests.
7
The driving force of Pakistan but he suffered a hairline fracture on his bowling hand in the second Test in Colombo and was forced to return home. Pakistan's primary strike bowler tested Sri Lanka with bouncers but leaked some runs. He accounted for five wickets at 27.80.
6
Put the seal on Pakistan's epic series win with a six over long-on and brought up 4000 Test runs. He struck 59 in the Pallekele and ended with 114 runs overall at 28.50. Misbah was also a calming influence in a series that saw striking highs and lows.
5
A century on an away tour is decent for any young batsman. Shafiq scored a solid 131, which rallied Pakistan to a ten-wicket win in Galle. Consistency is an area of concern but he is a key investment for the future. Overall, he had returns of 175 at 43.75.
5
Despite being troubled by fitness issues, Imran stepped up with a strong performance in the decider. He picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, which laid the foundation for Pakistan's turnaround. He struggled with the old ball but prised out five wickets with the second new ball to wrap up Sri Lanka's tail single handedly.
3
Having recovered from a hamstring issue, Rahat made an unexpected comeback. Produced some extra bounce and movement with the new ball. He could not control the old ball, though, and finished with returns of five wickets at 31.20
2.5
Hafeez's career graph has always been a lop-sided one. He scored a double-century against Bangladesh in Khulna but struggled to come to terms with the zip and seam movement in Sri Lanka, despite playing 12 years of international cricket. His bowling action was called suspect, prompting another test, forcing him to miss the final Test in Pallekele.
2
Shehzad had some starts but threw them away like he often does. He managed only 143 runs at 28.60 and fell behind in the top-order tussle. Despite playing more than ten Tests and making three centuries, Shehzad has struggled to nail down a permanent spot in the XI. He may have scored one fifty but lacked stability.
2
Call him unlucky or ineffective after injury, Junaid was the only weak link in an otherwise formidable attack. He showed sparks of brilliance in Galle with the old ball but did not have enough wickets to show for. Junaid was eventually dropped for the deciding Test in Pallekele. Having taken 50 wickets against Sri Lanka, he is ordinarily prolific against them but never looked convincing this series. He could muster only one wicket at 180 in two matches.
1
A decent seamer, who could move the ball around a bit, but Adil was not threatening. He managed only a solitary wicket in 31 overs across both innings in Pallekele.
Umar Farooq is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @kalson
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