Pakistan cemented their status at the top of T20 table with their remarkable six-wicket win over Australia in the tri-series final at Harare on Sunday.
The win on Sunday meant that Sarfraz Ahmed’s men have won 24 of their last 28 matches in the format as they built up an eight-point cushion over the No2 ranked India team.
After another successful T20 sojourn for the men in green, we rate the players’ performance in the tri-series.
FAKHAR ZAMAN – 9/10
Simply outstanding. The left-handed opener struck three half-centuries in the series including a career-best 91 against Australia in the final. It is no surprise then that he has risen 44 spots to the No2 ranking for batsmen in format after his latest exploits.
Fakhar was on song throughout the tri-series.
MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ – 4/10
The veteran all-rounder returned to the international side after being cleared to bowl again by the ICC but he simply forgot to turn up with the bat. Although he picked up two wickets in the first match against Zimbabwe, he scored a paltry seven runs in total in the two innings he played.
SAHIBZADA FARHAN – 3/10
A harsh introduction to international cricket for the young opener who was dismissed for a diamond duck without facing a legitimate delivery on his debut in the final.
HARIS SOHAIL – 4/10
Following Hafeez’s consecutive failure, Pakistan gave Haris Sohail a shot at opening the innings but he too failed to deliver with scores of 16 and 0. Was promptly dropped for the final after those two displays.
HUSSAIN TALAT – 6/10
A mixed-bag of a series for the Pakistan top-order batsman. Bar one game against Zimbabwe where he scored 44 and picked up a wicket, Talat was off-colour for the most part of the tri-series.
SARFRAZ AHMED – 7/10
It wasn’t the best of tournaments with the bat for the Pakistan skipper but he did show his class with an important knock of 28 under pressure in the final. His unbeaten 38 against Zimbabwe in a tight affair was equally crucial.
SHOAIB MALIK – 8/10
The veteran batsman has developed into a terrific finisher for the side over the last year or so and he showed his prowess once again with an unbeaten 43 to take Pakistan over the finish line in the final. Can always be counted on during pressure situations, especially at the death.
Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik were crucial to Pakistan’s title-win.
ASIF ALI – 8/10
Like Malik, Asif Ali was equally dependable for Pakistan in the middle-order. He played some important knocks throughout the competition including an unbeaten 41 in the tournament opener against Zimbabwe.
SHADAB KHAN – 7/10
The young Pakistan leg-spinner continued to grow as a potential all-rounder while his leg-spin fetched him five wickets in as many matches. He claimed a spectacular catch in the final to go with his contributions with both bat and ball.
FAHEEM ASHRAF – 6/10
An average series for the all-rounder who only got a couple of opportunities with the bat in the entire series. He did pick up three wickets with the ball but was largely unspectacular.
MOHAMMAD NAWAZ – 6/10
The 24-year-old spinner started off with two wickets in the first match against Zimbabwe but two wicketless outings saw him dropped to the bench for the rest of the tournament.
USMAN KHAN – 7/10
Like Nawaz, Usman Khan started the tri-series with two wickets against Zimbabwe in the opener. Unluckily for him, Shaheen Afridi’s strong showing against Australia saw him miss out for the final.
HASAN ALI – 7/10
The Pakistan pacer was impressive at the start of the tri-series with three wickets in his first two outings but two expensive spells in the matches to follow meant that he too missed the final.
SHAHEEN AFRIDI – 8/10
It was an impressive tournament for the teenage prodigy who played just his second T20 match for Pakistan in the final round-robin clash against the Aussies. Picked up three wickets in that match to force himself into the squad for the final where he claimed another wicket.
MOHAMMAD AMIR – 8/10
The Pakistan pace spearhead was rested in his side’s opening two clashes in the tournament but then went on a run of three consecutive games. He claimed five wickets in total including a three-wicket haul in the final.
Amir looked good in the three matches that he played.
