Sarfraz stands tall amid Pakistan ruins
Pakistan's marks out of ten after their 2-0 defeat in the Tests against Sri Lanka
Umar Farooq
19-Aug-2014
Sarfraz Ahmed was often left fighting a lone battle • AFP
9
Sarfraz Ahmed (265 runs at 88.33, strike rate 74.22)
A near perfect series for the wicketkeeper-batsman with three fifties and a hundred, especially as each of those innings was played under immense pressure. A collection of 265 at 88.33 highlighted Sarfraz's importance to Pakistan, even though his efforts went in vain in both Tests. One of the few positives Pakistan can take away from the 2-0 series defeat.
A near perfect series for the wicketkeeper-batsman with three fifties and a hundred, especially as each of those innings was played under immense pressure. A collection of 265 at 88.33 highlighted Sarfraz's importance to Pakistan, even though his efforts went in vain in both Tests. One of the few positives Pakistan can take away from the 2-0 series defeat.
8
Wahab Riaz (6 wickets at 27.33, strike rate 45.0)
Wavered a bit, but ultimately justified his inclusion in Pakistan's pace attack for the second Test. Wahab defied all odds on a slow pitch by producing some stunning spells, particularly against Kumar Sangakkara, in the first innings at the SSC. Failed to find a place in the XI at Galle, but with six wickets at 27.33 in the second Test, he is likely to be an automatic starter for Pakistan's future fixtures.
Wavered a bit, but ultimately justified his inclusion in Pakistan's pace attack for the second Test. Wahab defied all odds on a slow pitch by producing some stunning spells, particularly against Kumar Sangakkara, in the first innings at the SSC. Failed to find a place in the XI at Galle, but with six wickets at 27.33 in the second Test, he is likely to be an automatic starter for Pakistan's future fixtures.
Junaid Khan (9 wickets at 27.33, strike rate 45.3)
A key member of Pakistan's seam arsenal, Junaid won many sessions for his team but a blow to his head from a bouncer cut him from bowling in the second innings at the SSC. Had he been fit, it is very likely Pakistan could have knocked at least 70-80 runs off Sri Lanka's total. With nine scalps at 27.33, Junaid ended as Pakistan's leading wicket-taker.
A key member of Pakistan's seam arsenal, Junaid won many sessions for his team but a blow to his head from a bouncer cut him from bowling in the second innings at the SSC. Had he been fit, it is very likely Pakistan could have knocked at least 70-80 runs off Sri Lanka's total. With nine scalps at 27.33, Junaid ended as Pakistan's leading wicket-taker.
6
Younis Khan (211 runs at 52.75)
Showed his class with a crafty 177 at Galle in the first innings, but withdrew into his shell after that, scoring just 34 in three innings. Became the first Pakistan player to complete 100 catches in Tests, but Younis' overall contribution with the bat left a lot to be desired.
Showed his class with a crafty 177 at Galle in the first innings, but withdrew into his shell after that, scoring just 34 in three innings. Became the first Pakistan player to complete 100 catches in Tests, but Younis' overall contribution with the bat left a lot to be desired.
Saeed Ajmal (9 wickets at 40.11)
The backbone of the Pakistan team in recent years, Ajmal finished with a modest nine wickets at 40.11. Claimed a five-wicket haul in the first Test, but hardly caused any discomfort to the batsmen as he conceded 166 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to take a first-innings lead even though Pakistan had made 451. Was decent at the SSC, though he was mainly in the headlines for having been reported by the umpires for a suspect bowling action.
The backbone of the Pakistan team in recent years, Ajmal finished with a modest nine wickets at 40.11. Claimed a five-wicket haul in the first Test, but hardly caused any discomfort to the batsmen as he conceded 166 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to take a first-innings lead even though Pakistan had made 451. Was decent at the SSC, though he was mainly in the headlines for having been reported by the umpires for a suspect bowling action.
5
Asad Shafiq (157 runs at 39.25)
A promising young batsman, but Shafiq's batting completely lacked responsibility. Shared two important stands with Sarfaraz at the SSC, but exploded during his hasty attempts to convert his starts to gold.
A promising young batsman, but Shafiq's batting completely lacked responsibility. Shared two important stands with Sarfaraz at the SSC, but exploded during his hasty attempts to convert his starts to gold.
4
Azhar Ali (113 runs at 28.25)
Cameos of 30, 41, 32 and 10 were not what Pakistan expected of their No.3. Azhar often started well, but lost his way by choosing bad shots. Was less than focused with the bat, but outstanding with his reflexes in the field at silly point and short leg.
Cameos of 30, 41, 32 and 10 were not what Pakistan expected of their No.3. Azhar often started well, but lost his way by choosing bad shots. Was less than focused with the bat, but outstanding with his reflexes in the field at silly point and short leg.
3
Misbah-ul-Haq (67 runs at 16.75)
Probably the worst series Misbah has had as both a captain and a player. Pakistan have not won even a single series under his captaincy since 2012. A poor return of 67 at 16.75, coupled with a series whitewash, is likely to smudge his CV.
Probably the worst series Misbah has had as both a captain and a player. Pakistan have not won even a single series under his captaincy since 2012. A poor return of 67 at 16.75, coupled with a series whitewash, is likely to smudge his CV.
2
Abdur Rehman (4 wickets at 68.25)
Though arguably Pakistan's unluckiest bowler, Rehman, playing his first Test series in almost eight months, looked rusty and was completely out of rhythm.
Though arguably Pakistan's unluckiest bowler, Rehman, playing his first Test series in almost eight months, looked rusty and was completely out of rhythm.
Ahmed Shehzad (86 runs at 21.50)
Young and aggressive, but overconfident and naughty with the bat. Only managed to score 86 at 21.50 as an opener and will no doubt need more time to adapt to the demands of Test cricket.
Young and aggressive, but overconfident and naughty with the bat. Only managed to score 86 at 21.50 as an opener and will no doubt need more time to adapt to the demands of Test cricket.
1
Khurram Manzoor (39 runs at 9.75)
Was on a streak of nine consecutive matches as opener heading into the SSC Test, but his impact was almost non-existent. A tally of just 39 from four innings suggests it could be a while yet before Manzoor plays his next series.
Was on a streak of nine consecutive matches as opener heading into the SSC Test, but his impact was almost non-existent. A tally of just 39 from four innings suggests it could be a while yet before Manzoor plays his next series.
Mohammad Talha (2 wickets at 58.00)
Has the necessary ingredients to become a top fast bowler, but his inexperience and lack of control showed that he is not yet ready for top-flight cricket. Talha's line and length was all over the place in Galle, and he was subsequently dropped for the second Test.
Has the necessary ingredients to become a top fast bowler, but his inexperience and lack of control showed that he is not yet ready for top-flight cricket. Talha's line and length was all over the place in Galle, and he was subsequently dropped for the second Test.
Umar Farooq is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @kalson