There would be no separating Pakistan and New Zealand in the three-match ODI series after the decider at Dubai was abandoned because of heavy rains on Sunday.
That meant that the trophy was shared between the two sides after New Zealand won the first ODI by 47 runs, while Pakistan notched up a six-wicket victory in the second game.
After a closely fought series which ended at 1-1, we rate the performance of Sarfraz Ahmed‘s men over the course of the three matches.
Fakhar Zaman – 8/10
The explosive opener’s patchy form in limited-overs cricket looked set to continue after he was dismissed for just one in the series opener, but he bounced back in style with knocks of 88 and 65.
The left-hander roared back to form in the series.
Imam-ul-Haq – 6/10
The youngster got a start in the first match and was looking good in the second before he was struck by a lethal bouncer from Lockie Ferguson. Played not further part in the series post that blow.
Mohammad Hafeez – 6/10
A mixed-bag for the veteran all-rounder. Though he was decent with the ball throughout the series, he failed to live up to expectations with the bat after mustering only a combined 46 runs with the bat.
Babar Azam – 8/10
Got a duck in the first ODI but showed his class with a valuable 46 in the second and a match-winning 92 in the third. Continues to prove that he is the real deal with each passing series.
Babar Azam keeps getting better and better.
Haris Sohail – 7/10
The left-hander did not get a look-in in the first two games of the series, but proved his mettle with a highly fluent 59-ball 60 in the decider that set up Pakistan’s daunting total.
Shoaib Malik – 6/10
The Pakistan veteran batted down the order and chipped in with a total of 58 runs from his three innings. He was impressive in the field as always, holding on to some important catches.
Sarfraz Ahmed – 6/10
The Pakistan skipper struck a battling 64 in a losing cause in the first ODI before being dismissed for 13 in the second game. He did not get a chance to create an in the rain-interrupted final ODI.
A mixed bag for the Pakistan skipper.
Asif Ali – 7/10
Did as well as he could do lower down the order in his finishing role. Did not get a chance to bat in the final ODI.
Faheem Ashraf – 6/10
The seaming all-rounder got barely any chance to make an impact with the bat but he was tidy and effective with his medium pace.
Shadab Khan – 8/10
The young leg-spinner continues to shine in international cricket and bowled extremely well in the first ODI where he picked up 4-38. He returned with figures of 1-25 in the second match and would have fancied himself on the spinning track on offer in the third.
Imad Wasim – 7/10
The left-arm spinner turned in an all-round display in the first ODI with a fighting half-century and one wicket to his name. He was tidy with the ball in the second game before being rested in the decider.
Hasan Ali – 5/10
The Pakistan pacer was expensive in the first two ODIs though he did manage to pick up two wickets. The rain came down in the decider before he could even bowl.
Shaheen Afridi – 10/10
A perfect 10 for the Pakistan teenager after his man-of-the-series display. The 18-year-old was clearly the best bowler from either sides in each of the three games and deservedly bagged nine wickets overall.
Afridi is fast becoming the real deal.
