Five things we learned from Pakistan's T20I series win

Barnaby Read 22:14 28/09/2016
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  • Pakistan dominated the series.

    It may have been an incredibly one-sided affair but the match gave a real insight into how both nations’ games currently stand up to the rest of the world.

    Pakistan took on an entirely new, refreshing identity which has previously lacking in the shorter format, while the current world champions looked a far cry from the team that romped to World T20 glory in April.

    Here, we highlight some of the major takeaways from the series.

    What did you make of the three matches and our five talking points? Have your say by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    IMAD WASIM IS THE REAL DEAL

    It may seem obvious but we couldn’t start with anyone else. Imad has been an absolute revelation in this series, taking the new ball to devastating effect.

    His combined 12 overs throughout the series have cost just 53 runs and brought about nine wickets at an average of 5.88 and economy rate of 4.41.

    It is the most wickets from any Pakistan bowler in a three-match T20I bilateral series and not only did the slow left-armer rightly pick up the man of the series award but he has also jumped to fourth in the T20 bowling world rankings.

    West Indies’ batsmen certainly aided his cause with some atrocious stroke-making but Imad’s control, pace, understanding of the conditions and attacking wicket-to-wicket bowling was always going to create problems.

    He had once dreamed of tearing in like Wasim Akram and although he may not swing the ball as much or bowl at that pace, he is doing a superb impression of his hero’s strike bowling with the new nut.

    THREE’S THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR BABAR

    Eight batsmen have been tried at number three for Pakistan in T20Is since the start of 2015, the position becoming an increasing headache for the team.

    But in Babar Azam, it looks as though they finally have their new constant and a man capable of both steady rebuilding and blistering boundary hitting.

    Granted, he is only four matches into his T20I career and the Windies’ attack was listless, but he already averages 116.00, has a strike-rate of 128.88, a first T20I fifty and 116 runs to his name.

    Compare that to Mohammad Hafeez, who has been picked at number three more than anyone else since 2015 and has just 139 runs from twice as many matches, and it is easy to understand just how impressive the batsman’s first forays have been.

    Stats tell one story and they are sometimes only significant in how they are weighted.

    What you cannot argue, however, is the composure, elegance and confidence that Babar has exuded in the middle. He has looked every bit the international batsman and perfectly embodies this ambitious new team.

    WEST INDIES NEED CHRIS GAYLE

    Now, there is a real reluctance to say this considering Chris Gayle bypassed the series after advising the West Indies Cricket Board that he was unavailable to tour.

    There was no security issue in sight and instead Gayle’s Instagram has been filled with birthday parties, grand holidays and golden suits without a single mention of the West Indies’ UAE woes.

    However, with their openers contributing just 35 runs from three matches there are glaring issues at the top of the West Indies order.

    Add to that the inexperience running through the squad and it is pretty clear they could have done with Gayle’s help.

    Instead, Gayle has turned his attentions elsewhere in what is a sad reflection of the modern game and the ongoing issues that hinder West Indies cricket. From all parties, it is hardly the behaviour befitting world champions.

    Mr. 🔥

    A photo posted by KingGayle 👑 (@chrisgayle333) on

    NEW PAKISTAN ARE CATCHING UP

    Watching this Pakistan team compared to the one trounced by England in the UAE last winter before imploding at the World T20 earlier in the year is chalk and cheese – or perhaps nihari and chai.

    Under Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis the team just couldn’t keep up as infighting and divides in the camp saw to a complete overhaul of personnel.

    But since, Pakistan has shown signs of real growth.

    Under Mickey Arthur they look a fitter, more committed team in both practice and matches, their intensity on the field unlike any Pakistan team in recent memory.

    They are more athletic, more confident and certainly more together with the latter maybe being the most significant. It has been a pleasure to watch their improvement and although bigger tests than a struggling West Indies will await, Pakistan are beginning to look the real deal.

    The next step is to find some long overdue consistency in the format and put an end to their tag as the most inconsistent outfit in the world.

    AZHAR ALI IS UNDER EVEN MORE PRESSURE

    Ahead of these matches in the UAE, Azhar Ali was under increasing pressure as the country’s 50-over captain.

    Calls grew louder for Azhar to be replaced with T20I leader Sarfraz Ahmed until the PCB drew a line under it all by showing their support for Azhar.

    But those that see Sarfraz as the better man for the job will only feel more justified in their claims having witnessed his efforts throughout this series.

    He has been a bustling figure on the pitch, spoken at his usually rapid pace in press conferences and with the same authority and confidence while outwitting his counterpart Carlos Brathwaite at every turn.

    Tactically he has been spot on and his team has responded in kind, buoyed by the faith put in them by Arthur and Sarfraz, as well as the near constant encouragement of the latter on the pitch.

    It may not have been what Azhar needed right now, but Sarfraz could well be just what his country does.

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